Wildlife Research and Monitoring

To understand mammal species within Cleveland Metroparks a long-term urban wildlife monitoring project using over 200 fixed wildlife cameras was started in 2015. With the intent to not only survey wildlife but examine relationships with habitat and land management, wildlife cameras were deployed on Plant Community Assessment Program plots. The intent of this study is to understand the distribution and activity of wildlife throughout the park system. This includes studying relationships between wildlife species and with people and pets.   

Images of a red fox and mink captured on wildlife cameras in Cleveland Metroparks

Our project is among the largest and longest running urban wildlife camera projects in the country. To date the project has resulted in over 650,000 days of continual wildlife monitoring and over 25 million images. Volunteer assistance allows us to maintain a project of this scale. Over 130 volunteers have contributed over 18,000 hours to the project to date.

Cleveland Metroparks Natural Resources staff and research collaborators use camera data to examine wildlife populations and relationships. This information contributes to the overall knowledge of our parks and helps facilitate ongoing management and conservation efforts. We are also examining this relative to landscape components and variables that represent urbanization and human effects on natural areas. Investigating human-wildlife interactions provides an opportunity to understand how people and wildlife use our parks and use this information to co-exist.

The project has resulted in numerous collaborative research projects and peer reviewed scientific publications. Cleveland Metroparks is an Urban Wildlife Information Network Partner, and our wildlife camera data contributes to national and international studies. According to ResearchGate (an online platform that connects over 20 million scientific researchers from around the world) our camera publications listed below have currently been cited over 300 times. Collectively, our monitoring and research efforts help to advance our understanding of urban ecology and ensure that Cleveland Metroparks are ecologically healthy refuges for both wildlife and people.

Research Publications (names in bold are current or past Cleveland Metroparks staff):

• Wuensch, M.A., R. J. Moll, J. D. Cepek, N. W. Byer, and David Ward. 2025. “ White-Tailed Deer Preferentially Use Areas with Greater Anthropogenic Development in a Suburban Metropark System.” Ecosphere 16(11): e70480. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.70480
• Young, J.K., Kays, R., Green, A.M. et al. (including J. D. Cepek) Large-scale experimental assessment of coyote behavior across urban and rural landscapes. Sci Rep (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-33189-y
• Devarajan K., B. Gerber, M. Fidino et al. (including J. D. Cepek) 2025. When the wild things are: Defining mammalian diel activity and plasticity. Science advances. 11. eado3843. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.ado3843 
• Moll, R. J., W. Ortiz-Calo, J. D. Cepek, P. D. Lorch, P. M. Dennis, T. L. Robison, and R. A. Montgomery. 2020. The effect of camera-trap viewshed obstruction on wildlife detection: implications for inference. Wildlife Research 47, 158-165. https://doi.org/10.1071/WR19004
• Moll, R. J., J. D. Cepek, P. D. Lorch, P. M. Dennis, E. Tans, T. L. Robison, J. J. Millspaugh, and R. A. Montgomery. 2019. What does urbanization actually mean? A framework for urban metrics in wildlife research. J Appl Ecol. 2019; 56:1289– 1300. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13358
• Moll, R. J., J. D. Cepek, P. D. Lorch, P. M. Dennis, T. L. Robison, and R. A. Montgomery. 2019. At what spatial scale(s) do mammals respond to urbanization?  Ecography. 42: 1–13, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1111/ecog.04762
• Lepard, C. C., R. J. Moll, J. D. Cepek, P. D. Lorch, P. M. Dennis, T. L. Robison, and R. A. Montgomery. 2018. The influence of the delay period setting on camera trap data storage, wildlife detections, and occupancy models. Wildlife Research. https://doi.org/10.1071/WR17181 
• Moll, R. J., J. D. Cepek, P. D. Lorch, P. M. Dennis, T. L. Robison, J. J. Millspaugh, and R. A. Montgomery. 2018. Humans and urban development mediate the sympatry of competing carnivores. Urban Ecosystems.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-018-0758-6

Global biodiversity declines have defined our modern age, with negative human impacts well-recognized. Turtles are amongst the most heavily impacted species groups and appear to be declining at a faster rate than many other groups of organisms. A recent report by the Turtle Conservation Coalition estimated that nearly 54% (196 out of 364) of all recognized turtle species are currently listed as threatened by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). While the reasons why so many turtles are imperiled vary from species to species, several emerge as common themes: habitat loss, road mortality, and removal from the wild for consumption or the pet trade. 

In Ohio, there are a total of 11 recognized species of turtles, of which 7 have no state status, 2 are listed as special concern, and 2 are listed as threatened. Cleveland Metroparks staff currently conduct monitoring and conservation projects for Ohio’s 2 threatened species: the Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) and the spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata). While distinct in approach and scope, both projects are unified by a common desire to protect our native turtle communities and their habitats. 

Blanding’s turtles

The Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) is an IUCN-endangered turtle species, found primarily in marshes, wet meadows, and flooded forests of Ohio’s Lake Erie coastal counties (Fig. 1). Perhaps best recognized for its bright yellow chin and dark, relatively high-domed shell, this species has declined over many portions of its range in the state due to habitat loss, road mortality, poor recruitment due to nest predators, and illegal collection. 

Figure 1: Left: map of occupied counties in Ohio for the Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii; Adapted from Davis JG, Lipps Jr GJ, Wynn D, Armitage BJ, Matson TO, Pfingsten RA, and Caldwell C (editors). 2021. Reptiles of Ohio. Ohio Biological Survey Bulletin New Series, Columbus, Ohio). Right: a Blanding’s turtle from the Cleveland Metroparks focal site, displaying its characteristics yellow chin.

Within Cleveland Metroparks, the Blanding’s turtle has only been documented from one small population, situated in a historically industrialized portion of the county. In 1999, a total of four Blanding’s turtles were found at this site. Given the small number of animals in this population and the extreme rarity of this species in northeast Ohio, staff from Cleveland Metroparks Natural Resources and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo initiated a head-starting program (where eggs are hatched in captivity, and young are raised to a larger size before release) in 2002 (Fig. 2). Between 2002-2008, this program saw the release of 55 subadult turtles, and post-release monitoring activities from 2008-2019 to track and document movement and survival of these animals. 

Figure 2: Schematic of phases of the Cleveland Metroparks Blanding’s turtle project. 

It is important to note that Blanding’s turtles can take up to 20 years to reach reproductive maturity– so most of the animals released between 2002-2008 have only recently reached maturity! With this in mind, Cleveland Metroparks staff conducted surveys from 2023-2025 to assess population status and document potentially reproductive animals. The results of the monitoring surveys successfully found adult turtles (both female and male) that were part of the original head-started animals. Additionally, a subadult animal was also detected. This represents the first natural-born animal found at this site in nearly two decades, likely indicating breeding and successful nesting (Fig. 3). Natural Resources staff will continue to focus on improving habitat quality, removing invasive vegetation inside and outside of the core wetlands, and monitoring this population for additional breeding success. Overall, this project emphasizes the need for long-term monitoring post-management for turtle populations, as success may not be immediately evident until years and decades post-management. 

Figure 3: Left: a female Blanding’s turtle, located during surveys in 2024. Right: a subadult Blanding’s turtle, located during surveys in 2025.

Spotted turtles

The spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) is a small, IUCN-endangered turtle species, found in declining numbers across Ohio’s wetlands, wet meadows, bogs, and flooded woodlands (Fig. 4). This turtle is often considered one of the most visually striking of Ohio’s turtles, with bright yellow spots along the top of its shell and vibrant orange and black coloration along its limbs and head. Although documented across a wider spatial range in Ohio than the Blanding’s turtle, many spotted turtle populations have declined due to habitat loss. However, the decline for this species is also particularly attributed to the illegal wildlife trade. To address these and other threats, the Save and Protect Ohio’s Turtle Diversity (SPOTD) effort was established in 2011 by Cleveland Metroparks and many other partners to protect this species. 

Figure 4: Left: the logo for the Save and Protect Ohio Turtle Diversity (SPOTD) effort. Right: a spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) with a radio transmitter.

When individuals responsible for illegal poaching activities are apprehended, the animals they have collected are often confiscated by relevant wildlife enforcement agencies. Following a series of spotted turtle confiscations between 2014-2018, many spotted turtles were taken care of by a number of zoos, universities, and aquariums, including our own Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. These rescued turtles did not have straightforward plans for returning these animals to the wild. To that end, SPOTD began a project to both a) establish a self-sustaining population in an area with limited threats to long-term survival, and b) find ways to use turtles confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade for conservation. 

Figure 5: A portion of the release site designated for repatriated spotted turtles. 

Within Cleveland Metroparks, staff identified a suitable release site that could support spotted turtles (Fig. 5). After a multi-year process of disease and genetic testing, spotted turtles were released into this site in 2025 (Fig. 6). Rather than depositing these animals onto the landscape without any acclimation period (commonly called a hard release), these animals were first placed into pens for one month (commonly called a soft release). After this period, animals were allowed to leave the pen to access the full site. Turtles were equipped with radio transmitters to facilitate individual-level monitoring. 

Figure 6: Left: staff from Cleveland Metroparks and the Akron Zoo pose with repatriated spotted turtles. Right: an example of the soft-release pens used for spotted turtles.

Cleveland Metroparks staff continue to monitor these animals, studying post-release movement and survival. Initial results suggest no negative influences of the release on turtle body masses, and home ranges of released spotted turtles appear to mirror those of natural spotted turtle populations. In future years, efforts will focus on documenting reproductive and nesting behaviors, maintaining habitat restoration efforts at this site, removing predators, and continuing turtle tracking to evaluate habitat use. 

Research Publications (names in bold are current or past Cleveland Metroparks staff):

The North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) is a semi-aquatic mustelid that typically weighs between 11-31 pounds with an overall length of 38-47 inches (Figure 1). River otters, carnivores native to Ohio, primarily eat fish, crayfish, and amphibians, but they also opportunistically hunt mollusks, birds, reptiles, and smaller mammals. As apex predators in wetland habitats, river otters are an indicator species for good water quality.

Figure 1. River otters in the Cleveland Metroparks

Before European settlement, river otters were common, but habitat loss, declining water quality, diminishing fish populations, and unregulated harvest contributed to their complete elimination from the state by the early 1900s. After the creation of the US Environmental Protection Agency in 1970 and the passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972 improved water and habitat quality, the Ohio Division of Wildlife reintroduced 123 river otters (primarily from Arkansas and Louisiana) across four eastern Ohio watersheds by 1992. The program was successful and river otter populations recovered throughout much of the state. Cleveland Metroparks staff first detected river otters in Brecksville Reservation in 2021, and camera surveillance confirmed they were reproducing. During the winter of 2023-2024, Natural Resources staff began conducting river otter sign surveys, also known as “bridge surveys”, to determine river otter distribution across the park system, contribute to statewide otter monitoring, and to identify key habitats (Figure 2). 

Figure 2. River otter tracks and slides observed during Cleveland Metroparks surveys

Since the pilot year, staff conduct otter surveys annually between December and March at 17 sites across 12 reservations. While these surveys indicate river otter presence, staff also use cameras to collect additional information about seasonal activity and reproduction (Figure 3).

Figure 3. River Otter camera surveillance in Cleveland Metroparks, indicating that they’re often active at night.

To date, river otters have been confirmed in 6 Cleveland Metroparks Reservations, primarily in the eastern portion of the park system (Figure 4). This distribution is expected because the nearest otter reintroduction site lies within the Grand River watershed, approximately 40miles east of Cleveland. While otter distribution is increasing in Cleveland Metroparks, sightings remain relatively low. Otters are elusive and often active at night; however lucky visitors may catch sightings along the Towpath in Ohio and Erie Canal Reservation. Otherwise, you can visit the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, which features the similar Asian Small-clawed Otter (Aonyx cinerea). To help protect river otters and their aquatic habitats, please stay on designated trails, consider volunteering to keep our waterway habitats healthy through the Watershed Volunteer Program, and report sightings to Cleveland Metroparks Staff at [email protected]

Figure 4. River Otters have been confirmed in 6 Cleveland Metroparks Reservations (yellow).