The Southwestern Snake-necked Turtle is under threat in Yellagonga Regional Park and other wetland areas across the City of Wanneroo.
Key threats
- Road traffic and urban development – turtles are often killed while nesting or when hatchlings move to water.
- Predators – foxes, cats, dogs, and birds prey on eggs, hatchlings, and adults.
- Illegal poaching – turtles are sometimes taken for the pet trade.
- Poor water quality – high nutrients and heavy metals harm turtles through ingestion and absorption.
- Climate change – less rainfall reduces breeding success and survival.
What we're doing
The City of Wanneroo is working with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and community partners to protect turtles by:
- controlling fox populations within Yellagonga Regional Park
- installing signage to warn drivers about turtles crossing local roads
- improving wetland water quality through the Yellagonga Integrated Catchment Management Plan
- restoring habitat by through revegetation activities.
How you can help
Everyone can play a role in protecting local turtles. There are a number of ways you can get involved:
- Look out for turtles on roads and paths, especially in spring (nesting season) and autumn (hatchling season).
- Help turtles cross roads safely without interfering or picking them up.
- Protect turtles from pets and birds such as ravens and maintain your distance when they are nesting.
- Report injured turtles by calling WA Wildlife Hospital on (08) 9417 7105, or the Wildcare Helpline on (08) 9474 9055. Injured turtles can also be taken to the Perth Wildlife Hospital in Malaga.
- Record turtle sightings with the TurtleSAT App to help monitor local populations.
- Be a responsible pet owner by keeping dogs under effective control near wetlands and keeping cats indoors at night.
- Report fox sightings via the Foxscan App or by contacting DBCA Regional Parks Unit on (08) 9442 0300.
- Report turtle poaching to the DBCA Wildlife Branch via the Wildcare Helpline on (08) 9474 9055 or Wildlife Watch on 1800 449 453
- Protect wetland water quality by avoiding letting fertilisers, detergents or chemicals wash into stormwater drains.
- Get involved by volunteering with groups such as Friends of Yellagonga Regional Park.