The Center for Biological Diversity and Healthy Gulf have filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration for failing to protect the Pearl River map turtle (Graptemys pearlensis) and the Pascagoula map turtle (Graptemys gibbonsi). These turtle species are only known to inhabit two river systems in Mississippi and Louisiana. The Center initially announced its intent to sue in November 2018.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was petitioned in 2010 to protect these turtles under the Endangered Species Act, but the agency has not taken a position, even after 10 years. Neither the Obama administration nor the current administration has acted on the petition. According to the USGS, the Pearl River map turtle lives in the Pearl River in Louisiana and Mississippi, as well as the Bogue Chitto River. Andrew Whitehurst, Healthy Gulf’s water program director, stated: “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s slow approach to protecting this turtle and its habitat has made it easier for the local Drainage District to follow the lead of developers and pursue the most environmentally damaging alternative for Pearl River flood management — dredging and damming to give Jackson Mississippi an urban riverfront.” Map Turtle Care And Information: These reptiles are threatened by habitat loss, habitat degradation due to dams, floodplains clearing, and river channelization. Additional threats include harvesting for the Asian food and medicinal markets and collection for the pet trade. Map turtles have ridges along the top of their shell and are also known as sawbacks. They can live up to 30 years in the wild. The Pearl River map turtle inhabits the Pearl River in Louisiana and Mississippi, as well as the Bogue Chitto River. The Pascagoula map turtle is native to the Pascagoula River and is endemic to Mississippi.
