250 Endangered Turtles May Lose Their Last U.S. Habitat as Arizona Officials Work on Emergency Rescue Plan

The Sonoyta mud turtle, a rare species native to a remote area in Arizona, is facing an alarming threat as construction of a secondary border wall inches closer to its only habitat in the United States. Wildlife officials are mobilising to draft an emergency response plan aimed at protecting this endangered species, which finds its sole refuge at Quitobaquito Springs within Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, located in Pima County.

The Sonoyta mud turtle, which was officially classified as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 2017, can be found only at Quitobaquito Springs and a few diminishing water sources along the Sonoyta River in northern Mexico. Researchers have expressed serious concerns over the impact that the proposed construction could have, not only on the turtle population but also on other endangered species that inhabit the same critical ecosystem, including the Quitobaquito tryonia, a springsnail, and the Sonoyta pupfish.

Michael Bogan, who is leading an all-volunteer, multi-agency recovery team, emphasised the urgency of the situation. “There’s potential that whatever turtles we salvage from Quitobaquito may not be able to return for a long time — or, worst-case scenario, ever,” he remarked. His team comprises experts from various organisations, including the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and researchers from Mexico, all dedicated to the survival of this species.

As plans for survey work near Quitobaquito Springs are expected to start soon, Bogan’s team has shifted its focus from long-term conservation strategies to immediate emergency preparations. The construction of barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border could spell disaster for the turtle’s habitat, as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has indicated intentions to erect barriers throughout the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.

In a statement to the Arizona Daily Star, CBP claimed it is working to “avoid Quitobaquito Springs and minimise impacts to sensitive resources.” The agency reassured that no groundwater would be pumped within five miles of the springs. Nonetheless, Bogan cautioned that these assurances are small comfort if the construction activity disrupts the vital habitat. He pointed to the risk that the building project could compromise a manmade dam that maintains the pond’s water level, or destroy the mesquite thicket, which acts as a refuge for the turtles during winter months.

In response to these threats, wildlife officials are putting together a salvage plan that accommodates various scenarios of disruption. In a moderate disruption, they can capture around 50 turtles and keep them in temporary pools in the vicinity. In a more severe scenario—such as a dam failure or a significant drop in the pond’s water level—approximately 250 turtles may need to be relocated to off-site facilities, including the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and the Phoenix Zoo. Bogan noted the concerning possibility that they may have to find homes for twice as many turtles as there are facilities available.

The urgency of finalising this salvage plan is amplified by the $46.6 billion allocated for border wall funding as part of last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill (BBB) Act. The timelines associated with these contracts mean that preparations need to be swift; Bogan explained the risk of construction starting soon after contracts are issued. “We can’t wait until then to come up with a salvage plan,” he stated.

While the fate of the Sonoyta mud turtle hangs in the balance, Bogan provided a sobering insight into the turtles’ survival needs. “This is actually one of the easiest endangered species to manage. They just need water, and they just need to not be run over by a bulldozer,” he concluded, highlighting the simplicity of their requirements against the backdrop of potential habitat destruction.

As conservationists explore solutions to safeguard the unique ecosystem at Quitobaquito Springs, the situation serves as a stark reminder of the impact border infrastructure can have on wildlife. Ultimately, it will take a concerted effort from various stakeholders to protect this fragile habitat and the endangered species that rely on it.