In an innovative approach to conservation, South Australia’s first turtle management strategy is employing conservation detection dogs and educational programs to protect the state’s vulnerable freshwater turtles. This initiative aims to stabilize declining populations through a combination of scientific research and community engagement.
University of New England’s Associate Professor Deborah Bower, an expert in ecology and zoology, has been at the forefront of researching the dire situation facing these species.
“One in three Australian freshwater turtles is threatened with extinction,” she stated. “Turtles have historically not received as much attention as economically important animals like fish.”
The Role of Turtles in Ecosystems
Often referred to as “the vacuum cleaners of the river,” native turtles play a crucial role in maintaining the health of freshwater ecosystems. They consume dead animals and algae, recycle nutrients, and help keep waterways clear. Research from the University of Sydney and Western Sydney University highlights that turtles can remove fish carcasses up to five times faster than natural decomposition, significantly improving water quality.
Without turtles, rivers could become murkier, and algal blooms might increase due to the accumulation of decaying organic matter. The River Murray, home to the Murray short-necked turtle, the eastern long-necked turtle, and the broad-shelled turtle, is a critical habitat where two of these species are currently listed as vulnerable.
Challenges and Conservation Efforts
Environmentalists, Indigenous rangers, and scientists are collaborating to address the challenges facing turtle populations, such as habitat loss, river regulation, drought, and predation by foxes. Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board (MRLB) senior project officer Sylvia Clarke emphasized the importance of addressing these threats, particularly predation, which limits juvenile survival.
Clarke noted,
“I’m afraid a lot of the places in the rivers aren’t ideal for juveniles anymore. Carp and the lack of change in water systems are really depleting our aquatic plant resources.”
For the First Nations people of the River Murray and Lower Lakes areas, turtles hold significant cultural importance, being integral to their food, dreaming, and laws.
Detection Dogs: An Unlikely Ally
In a novel conservation effort, the MRLB has partnered with conservation detection dog handlers to locate and protect turtle nests from predators. Fiona Jackson, co-director of Skylos Ecology, works with a team of border collies and kelpies trained to sniff out turtle nests.
“They have this incredible technology on the end of their nose — estimates are their sense of smell is between 10,000 to 100,000 times better than ours,” she explained.
Educating the Next Generation
Another key component of the strategy is educating young people about the importance of turtles in the ecosystem. Ngarrindjeri woman Lucy Sumner, a junior ranger, is passionate about sharing her knowledge with students.
“I want students to walk away with the knowledge of turtles and why it’s important we keep their wetlands and any area they inhabit and breed in,” Sumner said.
Her efforts aim to foster a new generation of turtle custodians, aware of the species’ long lifespan and breeding habits.
For students like Evan from Ramco Primary School, learning about turtle conservation during a school excursion to Lake Bonney was a transformative experience. The lake, known by its Aboriginal name Barmera, meaning “place of large water,” provided a real-world context for understanding the significance of these efforts.
As South Australia prepares to release its comprehensive turtle management strategy in June 2027, the collaboration between environmental experts, Indigenous communities, and the public offers hope for the future of these essential creatures.
