Greater Shepparton City Council is reminding residents and visitors that turtles are often on the move this time of year, with the weather conditions seeing them explore lakes and wetlands to look for safe sites to lay their eggs.
via Flickr.”>Council’s RiverConnect program is kept busy this time of year, with staff working to protect any turtle nests from predators around the region. RiverConnect Project Officer, Alison White, said the team often use mesh covers to protect nesting turtles who are at risk of predators.
“There are three species of freshwater turtle who live in Greater Shepparton, the Eastern Long-Necked, Broad-Shelled and Murray River. Nesting for these turtles typically occurs around November and December, during or after a rain event,” she said.
“Turtles will travel long distances to lay their eggs and are most active early in the mornings. Unfortunately, it is known that foxes prey on about 95 per cent of freshwater turtle nests.”
Turtle nests are often very hard for humans to find, however foxes can smell the eggs when they are freshly laid and when the eggs hatch whilst in the ground. Protecting a nest immediately after the turtle has left greatly improves the babies’ chances of survival.
Tatura Turtles Volunteer, Yvette Williams, said while it was rare for humans to spot nesting turtles, it is important that community members who come across a nesting event report it.
“We record sightings on the TurtleSAT app to help researchers across Australia monitor turtle populations and we encourage residents to use this app to help with turtle protection,” she said.
“We also arrange protection of nests to ensure that the hatchlings have the best chance of surviving. Please contact the Tatura Turtles page on Facebook if you see a turtle in the Tatura area.”
If you find a nesting turtle:
- If you can, guard her until she is finished laying. Some take between 15 – 30 minutes and others take over three hours. It is best to mark the location without disturbing the turtle, and then come back later to check she has completed nesting. After nesting the turtle will be tired and susceptible to predation herself, therefore if she needs assistance you can move her to the closest suitable water body for protection.
