Natural History Wanderings

SF Gate  reports

A rare animal was spotted for the first time in 30 years in Muir Woods.

Last month, a Bay Area park volunteer witnessed a sight unseen for three decades in Muir Woods National Monument — a northwestern pond turtle, sunning itself on a logjam in Redwood Creek. The undaunted, semi-aquatic reptile known as Turtle No. 9 had gone on a Herculean voyage, venturing 5 miles upstream over a period of two months to reach this sylvan oasis.

Not only was this a very unexpected surprise for National Park Service staff, but it was also a sign that the restoration efforts at both the downstream and upstream ends of Redwood Creek are successful.

Read more at  Rare animal spotted in national monument for first time in 30 years