A Sign of Concern for Turtles

In Topanga, they brake for turtles.

In an effort to revive a dwindling population, the Topanga Town Council has launched a drive to erect a series of warning signs: “SLOW (turtle silhouette) XING.”

The first sign was put up in January on Old Topanga Canyon Road at the Red Rock bridge, a spot where several of the creek critters were seen in the road. The council’s goal is to place signs all along a three-mile stretch of the winding mountain route by persuading residents to shell out $70 per sign.

Topanga’s turtles--Western pond turtles, which once thrived in creeks all over California--are on the state’s list of threatened species.

After the species had apparently lived for decades in unsung obscurity in the canyon, a specimen was found in June 1996, inching across Old Topanga Canyon Road.

Several more have been seen since, including a few flattened by vehicles.

The turtles look fairly common, similar in size to the red-eared slider, “the typical turtle that everybody had as kids,” said Kathleen Bullard, executive officer of the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains. “You know--the kind that came with the plastic container with the palm tree.”

Four years ago, the turtles were on the state’s list of species considered “of special concern” because of their low numbers and diminishing habitat. Their situation has since worsened, placing them on the list of threatened species, just a step away from danger of extinction.

“There are very few left in Southern California,” said Sean Manion, a state conservation district biologist. He said the reclusive turtles, which have a drab, brownish-green shell about 6 inches long, “were just rediscovered.”

He said only four live turtles have been reported to the conservation district in Topanga Canyon, although biologists suspect others have been seen. “We know they are breeding because we found one young one,” Manion said.

A few Topanga residents have discovered the turtles’ haven--a small, natural pond in a high meadow surrounded by ridges. They keep the location secret, fearing the turtles will be harmed if word leaks out.

The pond is half a mile from the home of Paul Bordier, on a 120-acre privately owned tract that is for sale. Residents who know about the pond are hoping the land will be acquired by a state or federal agency and preserved as parkland. In addition to the rare turtles, the property teems with frogs, toads, deer, bobcats, mountain lions and other wildlife.

Bordier, who has lived in the canyon for 10 years, said he has researched the history of the pond and kept watch on it as it changed from year to year from a large body of clear water to a dry lake bed, then reappeared. But something happened after the disastrous wildfires in 1994, he said.

“The whole ecosystem changed with all of the silt and debris that washed down into the pond from the barren hills,” Bordier said.

The pond has shrunk to about half an acre. It is surrounded by a wide expanse of sandy banks and the water is murky and filled with debris--in short, a perfect breeding ground for the western pond turtle. Dozens of the shy creatures could be seen and heard plopping into the water when approached by visitors this week.

Biologists said the turtles need water, sandy banks in which to lay their eggs, and a lot of sunlight to help the eggs hatch. They hide from predators in the murky water, or spend hours basking in the sun on floating debris.

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Conservation district biologist Manion said he was unaware of the turtle population at the remote pond, but vowed to revisit the site, which he said he has not seen in more than a year. He said the turtles’ natural enemies, besides humans and their vehicles, include coyotes, raccoons and other predators.

It is illegal to keep wild turtles in captivity. Manion said that if one is spotted crossing the road, it should be moved off the roadway, photographed if possible, and then left alone. He urged that sightings be reported to the conservation district office, which records the information.