Alligator Snapping Turtles: Oklahoma's Endangered Species

The alligator snapping turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in North America, weighing up to 249 pounds. It is known for its spiked shell, powerful jaws, and shell that resembles the ridged skin of an alligator. They are found in 14 different states across the Southeast, Midwest, and Southwest, including Oklahoma. While they are not yet listed as endangered, their population has significantly decreased due to human exploitation, habitat alteration, and the mistaken belief that they reduce fish populations. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conversation has identified them as a Tier-1 species, meaning they are of the greatest conservation need in the state.

The OKC Zoo is contributing to the conservation of alligator snapping turtles in Oklahoma

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is actively contributing to the conservation of alligator snapping turtles in Oklahoma. The zoo recently welcomed 11 young alligator snapping turtles as part of a head start program to raise, rear, and introduce them back into their native habitat. The turtles were hatched at the Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery (TNFH) in Oklahoma, which has been running a captive breeding program since 1999. The OKC Zoo will continue to receive additional turtles as they age out of the head start program.

The turtles will remain at the zoo's Underground habitat until they reach four years of age, after which they will be returned to TNFH and eventually released into the wild. The zoo is also home to an adult male alligator snapping turtle named Tishomingo, who shares his habitat with a female American alligator.

Alligator snapping turtles are the largest freshwater turtles in North America and are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They were once abundant in Oklahoma rivers but have experienced a significant population decrease due to human exploitation, habitat alteration, and the mistaken belief that they reduce fish populations. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conversation (ODWC) has identified them as a Tier-1 species, indicating they are among the species of greatest conservation need in Oklahoma.

The OKC Zoo's partnership with the TNFH head start program is a crucial step in the conservation of this vulnerable species. By providing a temporary home for these young turtles, the zoo is helping to ensure their survival and eventual reintroduction into their native habitat. This initiative aligns with the zoo's commitment to turtle conservation, both locally and globally, through its partnership with the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA).

The Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery in Oklahoma has a captive breeding program to reintroduce turtles to the wild

The Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery in Oklahoma has a captive breeding program to reintroduce alligator snapping turtles to the wild. The program is a partnership between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and several states, including Oklahoma, to enhance turtle habitats and restock rivers with these turtles. Located in south-central Oklahoma, the Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery has more than 20 adult alligator snapping turtles in its broodstock pond. The hatchery's staff and researchers scour the banks of the pond each spring and summer for the turtles' nests.

The alligator snapping turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in North America, known for its spiked shell, strong beaked jaws, and worm-like tongue used for luring fish. They are an essential part of the ecosystem, feeding on older, sick, and dying fish, as well as aquatic vegetation. Unfortunately, these turtles have faced significant population declines due to habitat loss, overharvesting, and illegal trapping. Once found throughout eastern Oklahoma's major rivers, their range has contracted, and they are now considered vulnerable.

The captive breeding program at the Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery aims to rebuild a self-sustaining population of these turtles across their historic range. The program began in 2000, and since then, over 1,700 turtles have been reintroduced across four states, with nearly 75% released back into Oklahoma's waterways. The turtles are cared for at the hatchery for up to six years, and then distributed to conservation partners for restoration efforts. This approach has proven successful, with studies showing that older turtles released at 4 to 6 years old have a 2.5 times higher survival rate than younger turtles.

The Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery is a 220-acre facility established in the 1930s to provide warm-water fish for stocking in lakes and ponds. The facility now plays a critical role in protecting and restoring declining and imperiled populations of fish and other aquatic species in the South-Central United States. The alligator snapping turtle head-start program is just one example of the hatchery's conservation efforts, which also include raising paddlefish, alligator gar, leopard darters, and Arkansas River shiners for restoration purposes.

The species is listed as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Alligator snapping turtles are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This species of turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in North America and is known for its distinctive spiked shell and powerful jaws. They can weigh up to 249 pounds, with some individuals even reaching over 200 pounds.

The species was once abundant in Oklahoma rivers, but human exploitation and habitat alteration have led to a significant decrease in their population. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conversation (ODWC) has identified alligator snapping turtles as a Tier-1 species, meaning they are a species of the greatest conservation need in the state. The ODWC and other organizations are working to protect and restore the population of alligator snapping turtles in Oklahoma.

One major threat to the survival of alligator snapping turtles is illegal hunting and poaching. In 2018, two men in southern Oklahoma were cited for poaching an 80-year-old alligator snapping turtle. The turtle, estimated to weigh 78 pounds, was shot in the head by the poachers. Incidents like this one have led to increased conservation efforts and protections for the species.

In addition to poaching, alligator snapping turtles face threats from habitat destruction and modification. They are also killed due to the mistaken belief that they reduce fish populations. These factors have led to a decline in the population of alligator snapping turtles, not just in Oklahoma but across their range in the United States.

To address these issues, organizations such as the Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery (TNFH) in Oklahoma have initiated captive breeding and reintroduction programs. The TNFH program began in 1999 with the goal of rearing and releasing alligator snapping turtles back into their native habitats. The Oklahoma City Zoo has also partnered with the TNFH head start program, providing a temporary home for young turtles until they reach four years of age. These collaborative efforts aim to increase the wild population of this vulnerable species.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conversation has listed the alligator snapping turtle as a Tier-1 species

Alligator snapping turtles are the largest freshwater turtles in North America and are native to the state of Oklahoma. They are easily recognised by their large size, spiked shell, hook-like upper jaw, and powerful jaws. They are also known for their long lifespan, with some living for nearly 50 years in the wild.

Unfortunately, human activities have put this species in danger. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conversation (ODWC) has listed the alligator snapping turtle as a Tier-1 species, indicating that they are in urgent need of conservation in the state. This classification is due to the significant decline in their population caused by human exploitation and habitat alteration. One of the main threats to these turtles is illegal poaching, as demonstrated by a recent incident in Oklahoma where two men were cited for poaching an 80-year-old alligator snapping turtle. The turtle, estimated to weigh about 78 pounds, was killed with a 9 mm handgun. Such incidents highlight the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect this vulnerable species.

The ODWC's classification of the alligator snapping turtle as a Tier-1 species underscores the severity of the situation and the need for immediate action. This listing identifies the species as one of the most critical conservation concerns in Oklahoma. The ODWC is taking steps to address this issue, including partnering with organisations like the OKC Zoo and the Turtle Survival Alliance to increase public awareness and support conservation initiatives.

One of the key initiatives in the conservation of alligator snapping turtles is the Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery's (TNFH) head-start program, which aims to raise and rear young turtles before reintroducing them into their native habitats. This program, which began in 2000, is a collaborative effort between the OKC Zoo and TNFH. The young turtles are temporarily housed at the Zoo's Underground habitat until they reach four years of age, after which they are returned to TNFH for eventual release into the wild.

In addition to these local efforts, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed listing the alligator snapping turtle as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This proposal recognises the urgent need to protect these turtles from various threats, including overharvesting for meat, nest predation, and the impact of fishing activities. The ESA listing will provide immediate protection, promote recovery, and generate greater public awareness about the conservation needs of this unique and ancient species.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing listing the species as threatened under the Endangered Species Act

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing listing the alligator snapping turtle as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This proposal is based on a review of scientific data that highlights the severe impact of decades of overexploitation and habitat destruction on the species. Alligator snapping turtles are the largest freshwater turtles in North America, weighing up to 249 pounds in adult males, while females are significantly smaller. They are characterised by their large, powerful jaws and ridged shells resembling the rough skin of an alligator.

The species is native to 14 states across the Southeast, Midwest, and Southwest of the U.S., including Oklahoma. Their habitats include large rivers, tributaries, streams, bayous, canals, swamps, lakes, reservoirs, and ponds. The Service's Species Status Assessment (SSA) revealed that populations of these turtles are in decline and projected to continue decreasing in the next 50 years. The SSA identified several factors contributing to this decline, including legal and illegal harvesting, by-catch from recreational and commercial fishing, hook ingestion, habitat alteration, and nest predation.

The ESA defines two categories of species requiring protection: threatened and endangered. A threatened species is one that is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future, while an endangered species is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's careful examination of the alligator snapping turtle's past, present, and future conditions led to its classification as threatened under the ESA. This classification considers the species' current condition, which still provides some resilience and representation, preventing it from being categorised as endangered.

To address the threats faced by the alligator snapping turtle, the Service is proposing a Section 4(d) rule alongside the threatened species listing. This rule aims to conserve the species by prohibiting certain activities that could harm the turtles, such as importing, exporting, or possessing them, as well as incidental take activities like commercial or recreational fishing bycatch and habitat alteration. Additionally, the Service is working with states to address fishing regulations and implement modifications to fishing gear and requirements to reduce bycatch.

The Service is also collaborating with partners on ongoing conservation efforts, including captive rearing and release programs, as well as habitat restoration and improvement initiatives. These efforts include the Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery in Oklahoma, which has a captive breeding program to reintroduce alligator snapping turtles into their native habitats. While the Service is taking these proactive measures, it has determined that designating critical habitat for the species is not feasible at this time due to insufficient information.

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