Collaboration for conservation A. Fink*, J. Willis, A. Dallara Oakland Zoo and Sonoma State University California , USA In 2008, The Oakland Zoo was looking into starting a conservation project that would have an impact on a native California species. Our plans were mainly focused on an amphibian project, but choosing a reptile or avian project was also a possibility. In April, we were approached by Dr. Nick Geist, a professor at Sonoma State University to help him start up a project to study and slow the declining populations of the Western Pond Turtle (Clemmys marmorata) in California. We realized that by working with multiple organizations, we could be more successful than if we worked alone. The Oakland Zoo entered into a collaborative project with Sonoma State University, the San Francisco Zoo, and the California Department of Fish and Game (CA DFG) focusing on the conservation and recovery of the Western Pond Turtle. This project fits into a larger Conservation Strategy for these turtles that is being developed by CA DFG to slow the decline of this species in California . This project is a great opportunity for several organizations to work together to significantly contribute to the recovery of a native species that none of us could have done alone. The Western Pond Turtle, California ’s only native fresh water turtle, formerly ranged from Washington to Baja California . Over the last century, fragmentation and loss of habitat as well as predation and competition by non-native species has significantly reduced its numbers. It is now listed as Endangered in Washington , Threatened in Oregon , and a Species of Special Concern in California . By starting to work with the California populations now, instead of waiting until their population gets too low to recover, the chance of success is much greater. In this project, there are several studies being conducted concurrently by Sonoma State graduate students. These include a study on temperature dependent sex determination in Western Pond Turtles, the effects of calcium on their growth rate, and a comparison on in situ versus ex situ incubation on their growth rate and the sex ratio. In addition to this, we are conducting a pilot Head Starting Program. In a Head Starting Program, eggs (or hatchling turtles) are collected and raised in optimal conditions for about 10 months and then released back into the wild where the eggs were collected. This has been successfully implemented in Washington State where the populations are much lower than in California . Our Head Starting Program was modelled after the successful Washington program. All of the aspects of this project require a great deal of collaboration between all of the organizations involved. Each of the different organizations had different reasons for being a part of the project, but all have the same goal in the end, slowing the decline of the Western Pond Turtles. Singularly, none of the organizations could have taken on this project. By working together, we are able to focus on our strengths and have a larger impact on the species. By using this collaborative project as a model, we will hope to draw in additional zoos in the near future to help ensure the success of the Western Pond Turtle recovery across the whole state and eventually across its entire historical range.
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