The reclusive Blanding's turtle is still endangered throughout much of its habitat. So why has the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources recommended it be removed from the state's endangered species list?
A secretive resident of smaller marshes and vernal pools, the Blanding's turtle is beloved of herpetologists for its bowl-like carapace and distinctive yellow spots. The females of the species need at least fourteen years to reach the age of motherhood. This quiet creature is threatened from many sides: its habitat is fragmented by construction, especially roads, it is frequently run over by cars and even targeted for destruction by family pets.
Tell the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources not to delist the Blanding's turtle!
We the undersigned are saddened that you have proposed the Blanding's turtle for removal from your state's endangered species list.
It may be true that this turtle species has responded well to protections, but that is not a good reason to remove those protections just as its population is recovering. It takes a female Blanding's turtle decades before it can reproduce a single offspring that makes it to adulthood. So the recovery of this population is necessarily quite slow. Also, please note that this turtle species is still endangered throughout much of its other habitat.
We applaud and support your effort to protect the black tern, Kirtland's warbler, and upland sandpiper. But those species should not achieve needed protection at the expense of other animals who are still recovering. Please modify your proposal to keep the Blanding's turtle on the endangered list.
