Pardee Reservoir Western Pond Turtle Translocation

Leatherman BioConsulting, Inc. worked with BioSearch Associates to design and implement a western pond turtle trapping and relocation program. The plan outlined the relocation of western pond turtles from sewage treatment ponds near Pardee Reservoir northeast of Stockton, California. Western pond turtles were relocated to allow routine maintenance of treatment ponds by the East Bay Municipal Water District.

The western pond turtles were captured and relocated to a large pond on District property about 500 feet from the treatment ponds. All of the western pond turtles were marked by filing marginal scutes (under permit from California Department of Fish and Wildlife). This was completed so the movement of captured western pond turtles could be monitored over the life of the project. A total of 18 western pond turtles were marked and relocated over a 6 night trapping period.