ACTION TIMELINE

July 11, 2012 – The Center and several renowned scientists filed a petition to list 53 amphibians and reptiles, including the western pond turtle, under the Endangered Species Act.

September 6, 2012 – More than 200 scientists sent a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service asking the agency to review the status of the 53 amphibians and reptiles we petitioned to list.

September 18, 2013 – The Center released a report highlighting the nation's 10 most vulnerable, least protected amphibians and reptiles in the United States, including the western pond turtle.

June 10, 2014 – New research emerged showing that the western pond turtle is actually at least two distinct species, and thus each species is more critically endangered than previously thought.  The Center sent a letter to the Fish and Wildlife Service emphasizing the new urgency to protect both species.

April 9, 2015 – The Service announced that Endangered Species Act protection may be warranted for both species of western pond turtle and initiated a full status review.

Western pond turtle photo by Yathin S. Krishnappa/Wikimedia Commons