MCMINNVILLE, Ore. -- A Western Pond Turtle named Mac is moving from a McMinnville backyard to a federally protected wetlands property.

The Western Pond Turtle and Western Painted Turtle are the only two species native to Oregon, and both have earned critical ratings on the state's sensitive species list.

Homeowners George and Karen Ray recently reported the wayward turtle to oregonturtles.com after it found its way to their yard. George had spotted it wandering toward the street and was concerned it might get hit by a car.

Lynn Wahle of the Northwest Turtle Project says Western Pond Turtles are typically reclusive, and not often seen in neighborhoods.

The turtles once ranged from northern Mexico to southern Canada. But Canada concluded in 2002 that it had become extinct.

That makes Mac a mighty rare turtle, even on this side of the border.