Wildlife officials are preparing to reintroduce a locally extinct species, back into Kansas waters next month, in a bid to restore it to its old habitat in the state.
Trevor Starks, Recovery Program Coordinator with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, says locals can expect to see alligator snapping turtles return to the state’s waters in September. This big aquatic species has been absent from the state’s waterways for decades and will be reintroduced soon. Starks says 40 alligator snapping turtles will be restored to their native home range September 12th. More of the turtles are expected to be released around the same time next year in the same area. The turtles will be put in the waters of the Neosho river near the Neosho wildlife area’s north unit. Historically, these waters, along with the Verdigris River, were home to the massive turtles before their total disappearance from the state more than 30 years ago. Starks says each turtle will be tagged to help keep track of their progress in the water.
