2022 Summer Reading at the library will benefit the Forest Preserve District of DuPage state-endangered Blanding’s turtle head-start program . The program helps ensure that predators do not eat Blanding’s turtle eggs and hatchlings survive their first year.
Unfortunately, Blanding’s turtles may have another challenge ahead. According to the Blanding’s Turtle Head-Start Program Update #8 of Steward, researchers have discovered a fungus that can eat away at a turtle’s shell and make it susceptible to infection. The Forest Preserve District and many of its partners have been working with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the University of Illinois to test head-start Blanding’s turtles currently being raised in captivity for the fungus.
Adopt a turtle through the Forest Preserve of DuPage County.
Subscribe to Steward Forest Preserve of DuPage County Friends and development e-newsletter to learn more about Blanding’s turtles.
Read the The Wildlife Society “Researchers identify new shell-eating fungus in turtles” article.
