FIRST-YEAR FINDINGS OF INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVAL EFFORTS TO MITIGATE THE DECLINE OF NORTHWESTERN POND TURTLES (ACTINEMYS MARMORATA) AT A PRESERVE IN WOODLAND, CA

Trinity B Pineda; Endemic Environmental Services; tbpineda1@gmail.com; Vanessa I. Lozano, Dean Nerhus, Thea B. Wang, Barry Nerhus

Northwestern pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata) (NWPT) population decline has been attributed to several factors, including competitive interactions with invasive red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) (RES) for basking and nesting habitat and invasive American bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) for food resources as well as the predation of juveniles. Direct removal of RES and bullfrogs from the environment is thought to improve habitat conditions for NWPT. NWPT trapping surveys and invasive species removal efforts for RES and bullfrogs were conducted within the 15-acre wetlands of the Cache Creek Nature Preserve (CCNP) in Woodland, CA. Monthly turtle trapping and bullfrog gigging bouts were conducted for 3-4 day periods during the 2024 season. A total of 98 RES, 831 bullfrogs, and 150 other invasives were removed; twelve NWPT were marked and released. The twelve NWPT captured, (10 males, and 2 females, including 1 gravid female), were all adults; no juveniles were detected. Currently, CCNP RES population outnumbers the WPT population approximately 8:1, with no NWPT juvenile recruitment. Post-invasive species removal monitoring will continue in order to measure the efficacy of this management action.

Poster Session