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Mary River turtle protection program

The Mary River turtle protection program (MRTPP) aims to protect the threatened Mary River turtle.

The Mary River turtle protection program (MRTPP) aims to protect the threatened Mary River turtle. This native turtle species is found only in the Mary River catchment. It is vulnerable to a range of threats including foxes, who eat the eggs before they have a chance to hatch.

The program's initial focus was on protecting individual clutches of eggs. It has now developed to catchment-wide program involving collaborative action from community and government to support turtle populations.

The MRTPP is a collaboration between the community, Sunshine Coast Council, Tiaro Landcare, Mary River Catchment Co-ordinating Committee, Gympie Regional Council, Noosa Shire Council and Fraser Coast Regional Council.

Council is supporting the program through invasive animal control and monitoring.

Target species

European fox (Vulpes vulpes); feral cat (Felis catus); feral pig (Sus scrufa); feral fallow deer (Dama dama); feral red deer (Cervus elaphus); feral rusa deer (Cervus timorensis) and wild dog (Canis lupus familiaris).

Schedule

Ongoing

Location

Multiple private properties across the Mary River catchment. View the Mary River turtle protection program map (PDF, 5.4MB).

Get involved

If you would like your property to be part of the Mary River turtle protection program, please contact council. 

For more information on other Mary River turtle protection activities please contact Tiaro Landcare.

Protection methods

Chemical control

Chemical control

Canid pest ejectors

  • Canid pest ejectors (spring-activated baiting devices) are used to control foxes and wild dogs in areas of known activity
  • Ejectors are baited with Sodium Fluoroacetate (1080) or Para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP), both restricted pesticides. 1080 is considered the most species-specific pesticide for controlling invasive species. For more information view the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries 1080 fact sheet. Or for more information on PAPP visit the pestSMART website
  • A regulatory risk assessment is undertaken prior to placement of canid pest ejectors on any property
  • All properties located within 500 m of an approved property are notified prior to commencement of control activities
  • Warning signs are placed at the entrances to properties where canid pest ejectors are in place
  • Control activities are conducted by qualified and experienced invasive animal officers. Officers operate under council’s policies and procedures and in line with Queensland's animal welfare laws
  • Canid pest ejectors will not be installed on beaches or roadsides
  • Canid pest ejectors will not be installed within 150 m of a residence
  • Canid pest ejectors will not be installed within 20 m of flowing or permanent water body
  • Canid pest ejectors will not be installed within 50 m of centre line of a road
  • Canid pest ejectors will not be installed within 5 m of a property boundary.

Note: Canid pest ejectors cannot be trans-located by animals. However domestic pets may be at risk if allowed to roam. It is an offence to allow a cat or dog to roam outside of its property. Learn more about responsible dog and cat ownership.

Field shooting

Field shooting
  • A risk assessment is undertaken prior to commencement of feral deer control
  • All neighbouring properties within 300m of an approved control property are notified prior to scheduled control activities
  • Thermal technology is used in targeted field shooting
  • Control activities are conducted by qualified and experience feral deer officers who operate under council’s policies and procedures in line with animal welfare and humane control.

Monitoring

Monitoring
  • Monitoring is undertaken on selected private properties within the program area
  • Motion detection cameras are used to capture invasive animal and native animal activity to determine the program's effectiveness.

Trapping

Trapping
  • A range of traps are used to control invasive species on council and private lands
  • Soft-catch foothold traps are used to control foxes and wild dogs
  • Cage/box traps are used to control feral cats and feral pigs
  • Panel traps are used to control larger groups of feral pigs
  • Warning signs are placed at the entrance of properties undertaking trapping
  • Traps are checked daily or continuously by telemetry camera
  • Participants operate under council’s policies and procedures and in line with Queensland's animal welfare laws.

Note: Domestic pets may be at risk if allowed to roam. It is an offence to allow a cat or dog to roam. Read about responsible dog and cat ownership.

More information