SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says it is taking steps to protect the state’s population of alligator snapping turtles.

The department teamed up with Oklahoma and Louisiana to release 97 turtles into southern Illinois creeks last week in an effort to revive the declining species. Staff from the Illinois Natural History Survey recorded data before affixing transmitters and data-loggers to the turtles. Staff from the Peoria Zoo, zoology students from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Illinois high school students also helped prepare the turtles for their release.