Published on Tuesday, 20 October 2020 at 2:05:35 PM
City of Albany are seeking citizen scientists and wildlife warriors to assist in protecting Albany’s freshwater turtle species by tracking their sightings on a new Albany Freshwater Turtle web app.
International Union for Conservation and Nature consider the South Western Snake-Necked Turtle to be on their Red List as a near-threatened species due largely to the lack of scientific information.
With little known about the turtle species Chelodina colliei, capturing their population numbers, locations and identifying specific turtle nesting hot spots will help the City to better understand how they can be protected.
Urban populations of the South Western Snake-Necked Turtle are at risk of fatality by vehicles as females’ cross roads to find nesting sites in spring.
When the eggs hatch 7 months later these hatchlings face the same challenge of crossing busy Albany roads in order to make it to the safety of the nearest freshwater.
Chief Executive Officer Andrew Sharpe said the City’s development of this turtle tracking web app is a very innovative way of using technology to protect the local freshwater turtle population.
“Our capabilities with mapping through the GIS platform have allowed us to become more efficient and accurate in our efforts to protect our precious wildlife across our region,” Mr Sharpe said.
“This web app is aimed at developing a better understanding of where our freshwater turtle populations occur within the Albany region allowing us to be more targeted in our approach to road signage in these hot spots.
“Residents are encouraged to enter their South Western Snake-Necked Turtle sightings on the City of Albany Freshwater Turtle Survey web app and contribute to the protection of our native wildlife.”
The Albany Freshwater Turtle Survey app is live via the City’s website at https://www.albany.wa.gov.au/albanyfreshwaterturtle
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