By John-Michael Stuart.  Murdoch University is part of a joint effort in the State’s north-west to save a population of vulnerable flatback turtles from predation by foxes (see story).

Along with Curtin University and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), we have been working with the pastoralist of the remote Mundabullangana Station.  Mundabullangana is home to one of mainland Australia’s largest flatback turtle nesting sites with approximately 1860 female turtles nesting there during the peak season between October and January.

Flatback turtles are listed as vulnerable under the Commonwealth EPBC Act 1999 and as ‘data deficient’ under the International Union for Conservation of nature (IUCN).  Populations are slow to increase, due in part to the length of time it takes for them to reach breeding age, and the fact they only lay eggs every one to five years.

Joanne King (Murdoch Honours student; DBCA marine conservation officer) had previously identified that foxes were having a devastating impact on the turtles at Mundabullangana, frequently raiding the nests for eggs and preying on hatchlings.

For my PhD, I have been following up this project by fitting GPS collars to foxes in the area in order to track their movements. Both studies have been funded by DBCA.

My data indicates that foxes keep very tight home ranges or territories over multiple years, even though the turtle eggs are only available seasonally.  This means that fox control measures do not have to be restricted to just during the turtles’ nesting season, and there are options for red fox management outside of this time frame.

There is more analysis to be done, but we are confident that we can apply the knowledge learned from this project to reduce fox numbers and save more turtles.

The scientific analysis already carried out by both these projects has been used to underpin management action, with fox control measures implemented by the DBCA before the current turtle season.

Mundabullangana Station represents one of the largest mainland flatback rookeries in Australia and the management of foxes at this site has significant conservation benefits.

This project been a great partnership between a pastoralist, academics and a conservation agency for the conservation of a threatened species.  Mundabullangana Station owner Michael Thompson has been an enthusiastic supporter of conservation action around the population of flatback turtles on the property.