Action timeline

August 15, 2011 – The Center filed a petition and activated our membership to request protections under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) for 20 species of native freshwater turtles — the alligator snapping turtle, spotted turtle, Blanding's turtle, diamondback terrapin, three species of soft-shell turtles and 13 species of map turtles.

April 10, 2012 – In response to the Center's 2011 petition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it might propose CITES protection for 17 species of U.S. freshwater turtles, including the spotted turtle.

July 11, 2012 – The Center and several renowned scientists filed a petition to list 53 amphibians and reptiles, including the spotted turtle, under the Endangered Species Act.

April 10, 2012 – In response to the Center's 2011 petition, the Fish and Wildlife Service again announced that it might propose 17 species of U.S. freshwater turtles under CITES, including the spotted turtle.

September 6, 2012 – More than 200 scientists sent a letter to the Service asking the agency to review the status of the 53 amphibians and reptiles petitioned for listing.

March 8, 2013 – Countries voted to accept a U.S. proposal to regulate and monitor international trade of Blanding's turtles, spotted turtles and diamondback terrapins under CITES.

April 15, 2014 – The Center filed a formal notice of intent to sue the Service for failing to determine whether five increasingly rare northeastern amphibians and reptiles, including the spotted turtle, warrant consideration for Endangered Species Act protection. 

July 1, 2015 – The Service issued positive 90-day findings under the Endangered Species Act for 20 petitioned amphibians and reptiles, including the spotted turtle.
Photo courtesy Flickr/Zack