Turtle Pond

Look at the pond on your right. It may appear to be just a pleasant place to watch turtles basking in the sun on stones or branches, but it actually plays an important ecological role. This pond is part of the rescue center for Florida turtles, which opened in 2006. This species was long sold as a pet and was often released into the wild when it became too large or difficult to care for. The problem is that it is an invasive species: it competes with local wildlife, disrupts aquatic ecosystems, and in particular takes the place of native European turtles such as the European pond turtle. Lyon Zoo therefore takes in these turtles to prevent them from being abandoned in rivers, ponds, or wetlands. This spot reminds us that protecting biodiversity also means dealing with the consequences of invasive species introduced by humans.