Bruce, a western painted turtle, is a wildlife ambassador at Washington State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
A sign next to her tank in the hospital lobby explains Bruce’s role in teaching the public about native turtles, including why they shouldn’t release exotic turtles into the wild.
Red eared sliders—popular pet turtles—have become an invasive species in the Northwest, crowding native turtles out of their habitat. And when native turtles are removed from the wild, it leaves a gap in the ecosystem.
Bruce was collected illegally and couldn’t be released back into the wild.