Partnerships

Turtle Watch

What is the Turtle Watch Project?
Turtle Watch follows on from an initial turtle project conducted in 2006-2008.  That study found evidence of turtle nest predation at a Herdsman Lake site and recommended identification of the predator/s.  Funding of $12,185 to investigate this issue was obtained from Lotterywest in March 2011.  Turtle Watch is also proudly supported by AAEE WA.

Project Aims
1. To identify the predator/s involved in the destruction of oblong turtle nests at three sites – Herdsman Lake, Bibra Lake and Canning River.

2. To foster partnerships between the community, research organisations, educational institutions and industry in relation to the conservation of oblong turtles.

Who are the Stakeholders?
Five stakeholder groups have been identified so far:

1. Project Team and eco education centre managers involved in Turtle Watch:
Leader/Coordinator: Elaine Lewis
Oblong Turtle Consultant: Dr Jacqueline Giles
Camera Surveillance Consultant: Joe Tonga
Community Education Consultant: Dr Jennifer Pearson
Herdsman Lake Wildlife Centre Manager: Roger Harris
Cockburn Wetlands Centre: Vicky Hartill & Denise Crosbie
Canning River Eco Education Centre: Hayley Bullimore
 
2. Oblong Turtle Collaborative Research Group:
Dr Catherine Baudains, Murdoch Uni
Dr Jane Chambers, Murdoch Uni
Dr Mirela Tulbure, Murdoch Uni
Dr Jacqueline Giles (Consultant)
Caitlyn Bartholomaeus, Murdoch Uni (PhD candidate – oblong turtle research)
Elaine Lewis, Murdoch Uni (Doctoral candidate)
Vicky Hartill & Denise Crosbie, Cockburn Wetlands Centre
 
3. City of Cockburn:
Climate Change Adaption funding for an ‘Oblong Turtle Population and Recruitment Capacity Study’:
Vicky Hartill & Denise Crosbie, Cockburn Wetlands Centre

4. Environmental and Landcare departments/organisations committed to oblong turtle conservation e.g. DEC, SERCUL.

 5. Friends/volunteer groups interested in oblong turtle conservation e.g. Friends of Herdsman Lake and Canning River Regional Park Volunteers.

All stakeholder groups are invited to participate in Turtle Watch.  Through collaboration we will achieve greater outcomes for turtle conservation than would be possible on our own.

Click here for the latest Turtle Watch News (January 2012)

Click here for Melville City Herald Article on Turtle Watch

Past Turtle Watch News
May 2011
June 2011
July 2011
August 2011
September 2011
October 2011
November 2011
December 2011

For further information please contact Elaine Lewis.