By John Myers/ Duluth News Tribune The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has agreed with scientists and environmental groups that the Blanding's turtle, which is hanging on in Minnesota, may warrant federal protection. The turtle is among 21 species the agency says appear to be in enough trouble to warrant a formal review to see if they need protection under the Endangered Species Act. Blanding's turtles once ranged through much of the Great Lakes region and the northeastern United States, but the only large remaining populations are found in Minnesota and Nebraska. The turtle, which favors areas with both wetlands and sandy hills, have suffered extensive declines from habitat loss and intense predation on eggs and hatchlings. Blanding's turtles also are targeted by the pet trade because of their bright yellow chin and throat. But perhaps their biggest threat is from cars and trucks. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, many Blanding's turtles are killed each year as they migrate between wetlands and attempt to cross roads. Blanding's turtles already are listed as threatened under Minnesota state guidelines, but federal status would give them additional protections. The Fish and Wildlife Service also said it will pursue listing several frogs, toads, snakes and salamanders. The announcement comes nearly three years after environmental groups asked for the animals to be listed. More than 200 scientists sent a letter asking the Service to review the status of the animals. "Blanding's turtles, spotted turtles and Illinois chorus frogs are dying out mostly because people are destroying their wetland homes," said Collette Adkins, a biologist and lawyer for the Center for Biological Diversity, in a statement. "Endangered Species Act protection for these rare turtles and frogs will help protect these essential areas from destruction." Some scientists say that nearly one-fourth of all amphibians face peril due to habitat destruction, pesticides, climate change and other human-driven causes. "Frogs and turtles are integral parts of the wild where they live, whether it's a remote forest stream or a suburban wetland," said Adkins. "Losing them will impoverish those places and our own connection with the natural world." Tuesday's "90-day finding" is the first in a series of required decisions on the petition and simply required the Fish and Wildlife Service to determine whether the petition presents sufficient information to warrant further consideration, a process that requires few agency resources. The next step is a full status review of the species by the Fish and Wildlife Service.
By John Myers/ Duluth News TribuneThe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has agreed with scientists and environmental groups that the Blanding's turtle, which is hanging on in Minnesota, may warrant federal protection.The turtle is among 21 species the agency says appear to be in enough trouble to warrant a formal review to see if they need protection under the Endangered Species Act.Blanding's turtles once ranged through much of the Great Lakes region and the northeastern United States, but the only large remaining populations are found in Minnesota and Nebraska. The turtle, which favors areas with both wetlands and sandy hills, have suffered extensive declines from habitat loss and intense predation on eggs and hatchlings. Blanding's turtles also are targeted by the pet trade because of their bright yellow chin and throat.But perhaps their biggest threat is from cars and trucks. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, many Blanding's turtles are killed each year as they migrate between wetlands and attempt to cross roads.Blanding's turtles already are listed as threatened under Minnesota state guidelines, but federal status would give them additional protections.The Fish and Wildlife Service also said it will pursue listing several frogs, toads, snakes and salamanders.The announcement comes nearly three years after environmental groups asked for the animals to be listed. More than 200 scientists sent a letter asking the Service to review the status of the animals."Blanding's turtles, spotted turtles and Illinois chorus frogs are dying out mostly because people are destroying their wetland homes," said Collette Adkins, a biologist and lawyer for the Center for Biological Diversity, in a statement. "Endangered Species Act protection for these rare turtles and frogs will help protect these essential areas from destruction."Some scientists say that nearly one-fourth of all amphibians face peril due to habitat destruction, pesticides, climate change and other human-driven causes."Frogs and turtles are integral parts of the wild where they live, whether it's a remote forest stream or a suburban wetland," said Adkins. "Losing them will impoverish those places and our own connection with the natural world."Tuesday's "90-day finding" is the first in a series of required decisions on the petition and simply required the Fish and Wildlife Service to determine whether the petition presents sufficient information to warrant further consideration, a process that requires few agency resources. The next step is a full status review of the species by the Fish and Wildlife Service.
