AIMS staff designed structures to protect sea turtle nests from pigs, foxes and dogs

A simple walk on the beach inspired a local doctor to protect sea turtle nests from feral predators, with the help of North Queensland’s marine science experts.

A SIMPLE walk on the beach inspired a local doctor to protect sea turtle nests from feral predators, with the help of North Queensland’s marine science experts.

After witnessing first-hand the devastation done to sea turtle nests by feral pigs, dogs and foxes, Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) CEO Dr Paul Hardisty put out a call for AIMS staff at Cape Cleveland to protect this year’s nests.

Dr Hardisty created the Operation Gungu program, and zoologist Dr Sara Bell and turtle expert Dr Amanda Dawson quickly answered the call.

Together, they trained about 20 volunteers including Dr Hardisty, who helped build and install nest protection and inspect the nests before or after work.

Volunteers were taught how to read turtle tracks, and how to find and determine if nesting areas were being used.

Because of their efforts, 20 nests have been protected this year.

AIMS staff designed lattice structures made using fibreglass poles, which were pegged down in the sand over the top of newly-discovered nests.

Dr Bell said the aim was to stop predators from digging up the eggs during the 40 to 50 day incubation period, but still allowing the hatchlings to pass through.

Despite the protection, Foxes remain a threat – a challenge Dr Bell said the team would improve on in the next round of protector designs for the 2022 nesting season between October and late December next year.

Dr Dawson said that nests from previous years had all been destroyed by predators, and saw the 20 nests protected this year as a huge success.

“We had the happy news that the first baby turtles have emerged from three of those nests and, we estimate from empty eggshells and tracks on the beach, about 150 made it to the ocean,” Dr Dawson said.

Originally published as AIMS staff designed structures to protect sea turtle nests from pigs, foxes and dogs