The public is invited June 4 to Woodland Park Zoo to watch Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists prepare western pond turtles for release to the wild. As part of a collaborative recovery project, the turtles will be released to a protected site later this summer. (Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo)

WHAT:
Is Woodland Park Zoo’s class of 2026 head start turtles ready for release to the wild? Find out on Thursday, June 4, when Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) biologists put 39 western pond turtles to the final “test” as they weigh and measure each turtle. If they are confirmed to be big enough to escape the mouths of invasive bullfrogs, they pass and will be released next month to the wild. Visitors of all ages and backgrounds are invited to watch the biologists in action, connect with zoo staff and docents to learn about the zoo’s critical role in recovering the state’s endangered western pond turtle, and engage in hands-on, turtle-themed activities that mimic the work of the animal keepers to prepare the young turtles for release.

The turtles were brought as eggs to the zoo last summer, hatched and given a head start on life under the care of dedicated experts. Each turtle graduate will move on to the next chapter of their lives: released to protected wetlands where they can submerge in vegetation, bask on logs, swim among mud banks, and dine on insects, amphibians and aquatic plants.

The turtles are a part of the collaborative Western Pond Turtle Recovery Project. Every summer, WDFW biologists collect the eggs from wild nests and bring them to the zoo where they are incubated for two to three months, hatched and cared for by the zoo’s animal care team. The turtles are fed a hearty diet throughout the winter safely away from predators. By early summer, they reach the sweet spot of weighing at least 2 ounces—too big to fit in the mouths of bullfrogs—and are larger than wild turtles at that age. Every summer, the juvenile turtles are returned to local protected wetlands and are monitored by WDFW biologists.

WHEN:
Thursday, June 4, 10:00 a.m.–noon

WHERE:
Woodland Park Zoo in Cathy Herzig Basecamp Northwest. Visitors may enter through the West Entrance at 5500 Phinney Ave. N. or South Entrance at 750 N. 50th St., Seattle WA 98103

INFO:
Western pond turtles (Actinemys marmorata) help to balance local wetland ecosystems. In 1990, only about 150 western pond turtles remained in two populations in the state of Washington and the species nearly became extinct. In 1991, Woodland Park Zoo and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife joined forces to recover western pond turtles by initiating a head start program. In 1993, the state listed the western pond turtle as endangered.

Help save turtles and keep their local habitats clean and healthy

• Never release unwanted home or classroom pets, animals, or plants into the wild, such as rivers, streams, lakes or stormwater ponds. Most unwanted pets will not survive in the wild and may suffer before death. If it does manage to survive, it may harm the environment.  
• Avoid pesticides when you garden. 
• Call a rescue organization when you need to rehome aquatic pets.
• Volunteer to clean up local habitats. 

COST:
The turtle preparation activities are free with zoo admission or membership. Online ticketing will be in full effect starting June 1, 2026. Instead of purchasing tickets at zoo entrances, tickets should be purchased online by visiting tickets.zoo.org. Children 2 and under are free to the zoo and zoo members receive free unlimited admission to the zoo year-round. Member reservations are not required for daytime admission.