Outlook Online 2009

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority :: Feral animals

Feral animals

Marine turtle eggs are left in the nest chamber to develop without maternal care. Predation of turtle eggs by feral or native fauna influences the nesting success of a population or stock.

Throughout the mainland of Australia feral dogs, dingoes and pigs are known to prey on clutches of turtle eggs. Foxes are a significant threat to loggerhead, green and flatback turtle clutches on the central Queensland coast. Feral pigs have been identified as a threat on western Cape York Peninsula as have goannas in northern Australia at mainland and island sites.

Actions

  • Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) carries out baiting programmes to control feral animals such as foxes and pigs at certain turtle nesting beaches
  • Indigenous communities on Cape York are trialling the laying of heavy metal mesh on top of turtle nests to protect them from feral animals.
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