Northern Australia

We research the population status and ecology of both freshwater and sea turtles in northern Australia to guide conservation and management actions. 

                                  Northern Long-necked Turtle

We are currently assessing the northern long-necked turtle (Chelodina oblonga) population status and promoting school awareness along the Finniss River catchment, Northern Territory, Australia. Our aim is to assist community management of this traditional indigenous food. It will help to address concerns raised by indigenous people in the Finniss catchment about threats to one of their key traditional foods, the northern long-necked turtle. This project is a partnership between Charles Darwin University, TNRM, Twin Hill Aboriginal Coorporation and it is sponsored by the INPEX Ichthys LNG Project. 

                                  Flatback Turtle

The effect of vegetation cover on sea turtle nest temperature is particularly relevant due to climate change, as warmer nests produce almost exclusively females. The extent to which the beach vine Ipomoea pes-caprea affects Flatback nests in Bare Sand Island (Northern Australia) is unknown. Our study aims to obtain information on the trade-offs between flatback turtles (Natator depressus)  egg and hatchling mortality and the sex ratio of nests affected by Ipomoea pes-caprea cover. The results of this study can improve conservation of flatback turtles by providing recommendations on how to manage vegetation cover in Flatback nesting areas to decrease mortality and balance sex ratios. This project is a partnership between Charles Darwin University and Aus Turtle.

Projects Area