For years, the booming call of invasive bullfrogs drowned out the natural sounds of Yosemite’s ponds and devastated the native wildlife that once thrived there. But now, thanks to a years-long effort led by researchers from UC Davis, the native northwestern pond turtle is making a quiet but powerful comeback. The team found that where bullfrogs were removed, young turtles began to reappear for the first time in decades, breaking a cycle of predation that had left only the largest adults.
The return of this peaceful, freshwater species is more than symbolic. It marks a vital step toward restoring the ecosystem’s balance and protecting California’s only native freshwater turtle. Scientists say the change has been dramatic—juvenile turtles, native frogs, newts, and salamanders are all reemerging in places once dominated by the voracious bullfrogs. While eradication may not work everywhere, researchers believe targeted removals in key conservation zones could help turn the tide for this iconic and threatened species.