The Turtle Nest Predation Monitoring Project

The Turtle Nest Predation Monitoring Project is a new initiative that has determine which animals are preying on turtles and turtle eggs and levels of predation. The project, managed in-house by CYPDA, is a cooperative exercise involving Aboriginal and Islander communities at Mapoon, Injinoo, Aurukun and Napranum, the Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water, the Environmental Protection Agency and Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service.

CYPDA is working with Cape York Community land managers to monitor the predation rate of turtle nests on western Cape York Peninsula. Indigenous rangers identify the tracks of species coming ashore, mark nests with GPS equipment, identify the nests with pegs and take photos of tracks. Predator species are identified by their tracks.

The data is being used to inform state and federal government of how the predation on turtle nests and hatchlings can be best managed.