The carcasses of at least 96 southwestern snake-necked turtles (Chelodina oblonga), likely killed by feral foxes, have been found at Bibra Lake in a devastating hit to the local population.
The remains, most with legs and/or heads missing, were discovered by Turtle Tracker volunteers over the past week. The volunteers usually monitor and protect nesting females and their eggs as part of the Saving Our Snake- Necked Turtle (SOSNT) project.
Turtle ecologist and project lead Dr Anthony Santoro, from Murdoch University's School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences and the Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems at the Harry Butler Institute, said the deaths represented around 10–15 per cent of the Bibra Lake’s southwestern snake-necked turtle population – which has been the heart of significant conservation efforts since Murdoch University and the City of Cockburn began efforts to protect them in 2019 by establishing the Turtle Trackers pilot project.
This is a devastating finding, the loss of almost 100 turtles from the population will have a major impact on the future survival of the species in Bibra Lake." Dr Anthony Santoro
"This is a devastating finding, the loss of almost 100 turtles from the population will have a major impact on the future survival of the species in Bibra Lake," Dr Santoro said.
“It highlights the very real impacts that climate change and feral predators are having on native species, and that when these threats combine, the threat can multiply exponentially.
“This is likely not going to be an isolated event, and is probably happening at a wetland near you, and will very likely happen more in the future as we continue to dry.”
The City of Cockburn, through its Sustainability and Climate Change team, has been a steadfast and leading supporter of collaborative efforts to save the region’s endemic southwestern snake-necked turtle for many years.
Environmental Education Officer Vicky Hartill said there had been increased fox activity at City-managed reserves due to optimal hunting conditions in drying lakes caused by record low rainfall, and the City had implemented a number of measures in response to the recent turtle deaths, including extending the length of the autumn fox-trapping period.
“As global temperatures rise and our planet becomes drier in some parts as rainfall rates decline, the City is working hard to anticipate and meet the changing needs of the local environment,” Mrs Hartill said.
“The City has extended the length of the autumn fox trapping period in City-managed reserves this April due to observations of increased fox activity caused by optimal hunting conditions in drying lakes as a result of record low rainfall.
“We have also continued to complete coordinated feral animal programs targeting foxes and cats to reduce predation on native species.
“This is done in collaboration with other major land managers such as the DBCA and neighbouring local governments to time feral animal control to reduce the number of safe places for foxes.
“The City is here for the long haul, and is prepared to continue with its concerted efforts over many years to help local turtle populations recover.”
Dr Santoro said the situation further reinforced the need for a collaborative effort across Perth (and the southwest) in feral predator control and a “serious think” about how water will be managed for people and wetlands - and all the flora and fauna associated with them - in the future.
“It emphasises the importance of the SOSNT project and the dedication of the volunteer Turtle Trackers - five years ago, before Turtle Trackers and SOSNT, it is likely we wouldn’t have understood the impact of this predation and climate change combo event on the local population,” he said.
“It’s thanks to the City of Cockburn being a leader in supporting turtle research and partnering in the formation of Turtle Trackers and SOSNT that we now have hundreds of trained volunteers across 21 Local Government areas gathering essential data on the status of this important freshwater species."
Mrs Hartill said the local community can help by:
- Continuing to report instances of predation to the City. Please do not go out looking for foxes as they are highly sensitive and they will likely avoid areas if they feel like they are being monitored. Scaring foxes away from traps reduces the effectiveness of control programs. Searching for foxes during trapping is also dangerous.
- Continuing to report instances of turtle predation via the TurtleSAT smartphone app or reported directly to the City.
- Continuing to participate in the SOSNT campaign and Turtle Tracking program using the adopted nest protection methods with SOSNT and DBCA and encourage others in the community to join.
- Applying for funding from the Landowner Biodiversity Conservation Grants Program via the City of Cockburn website.
Learn more about the Saving Our Snake-Necked Turtle project and how to get involved.
If you encounter an injured turtle, or any injured wildlife, please contact the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055.
Found a turtle?
Please make sure that the turtle is actually injured or needs help before you intervene!
If the turtle is injured...
- Never handle a reptile with your bare hands, as many reptile species can carry salmonella on their skin. Always use gloves and a towel.
- Most reptile species can be wrapped in a towel and placed in a box.
- If you are able to safely capture the turtle, place it in a box or pet carrier and leave it in a warm, quiet room away from pets and loud noises.
- Take the animal to your nearest veterinary hospital or wildlife rehabilitation centre as soon as possible. Do not offer any food or water.
- You can gently spray the turtle with warm water but do not place it in water, as this could put it into shock!
If the turtle is not injured...
- They are not lost!
- If you want to help, be a turtle bodyguard. Assist them in the direction they were heading, and protect them from predators. It is best to keep your distance, but you can wave off ravens if they are attacking.
- Check which direction the turtle is heading. If it is heading towards land, it may be searching for a suitable nesting site. If it is heading towards a lake, it may be trying to migrate to water.
- Please check that there are no threats close by and leave the turtle alone as much as possible. You can monitor the turtle from a safe distance and protect it from potential threats such as birds.
- If a turtle is on the road, please escort it across without picking it up. If you catch and return a turtle to the water before it has nested, it will either abort its eggs or have to make the dangerous trip again. This increases its risk of being injured or killed.
- If you see a hatchling turtle, you can take it straight to the nearest wetland.
Injured or dead turtles can be taken to WA Wildlife at 72 Hope Road, Bibra Lake (telephone 9417 7105). WA Wildlife can provide emergency care, rehabilitation, PIT tag scanning (research), egg retrieval, and provide valuable information to researchers and environmental managers. turtles.
*Information courtesy WA Wildlife and City of Cockburn