Greater Shepparton City Council was advised of a local turtle nest in Shepparton by a local community member.
A Community Ranger went to investigate and found the nest. In order to safeguard the nest from predators such as foxes, plastic mesh and steel pegs were utilised for protection.
Three species of freshwater turtle live in Greater Shepparton: Eastern Long-Necked, Broad-Shelled and Murray River turtles. Foxes predate about 95 percent of freshwater turtle nests. These are very hard for humans to find, but foxes can smell the eggs when they are freshly laid, and also when the eggs hatch whilst in the ground. Protecting a nest immediately after the turtle has left greatly improves the babies' chances of survival.
Council would like to thank the quick thinking local resident who reported the turtle nesting.
Turtles Australia Volunteer Jeremy Pike said, "Conservation projects like this and many others can really benefit from sightings from local people in the area, the hardest part is being in the right place at the right time to witness where they are nesting. Any sightings are greatly appreciated from us and we can often arrange protection of the nest to ensure that the nest has the best chance possible of surviving."
