As urbanization increases alongside the growing human population, urban ecosystems and wildlife species require a further need for study. Turtle species are no stranger to the detrimental effects of urban environments on wildlife such as habitat degradation, road mortality, and chemical pollution. Increased research efforts on urban ecosystems benefit not only wildlife but humans as well due to increased potential for human-wildlife interactions in urban ecosystems. As indicators of ecological health, wildlife like snapping turtles can provide insights into environmental health risks in urban environments. We have been working to establish baseline data on the movement behavior and general health of snapping turtles in Forest Park. We have collected movement data by relocating then recapturing snapping turtles and through tracking tagged individuals. The analysis of this data provided insights into their adaptation to conservation strategies such as mitigation-driven relocation and challenges posed by urban development, including roads and culverts. To develop a better understanding of the baseline health parameters of the population, we are analyzing morphometric and plasma blood chemistry data collected from a sample of snapping turtles in Forest Park. With this data, we are assembling a collection of reference intervals for several blood chemistry parameters in the population of snapping turtles, the first of its kind for the species. It is our hope that this work can better inform conservation strategies and provide a baseline for further research of the population of snapping turtles in Forest Park as well as other urban populations of snapping turtles. 

Chris would like to thank Dr. Stephen Blake for the impact he's made on Chris's academic career. Dr. Blake's enthusiasm and creativity have been instrumental not only in shaping Chris's project but also his future aspirations.