Turtle Sanctuary
History of the Wetland
Newspaper Article - 20 Nov 2008
Radio Interview ABC 891 - 13 March 2009
Media Release - Friday 20 March 2009
[Note: The Longnecked Freshwater tortoises (Chelodina longicollis) are also known scientifically as turtles. For the purposes of this article, they are referred to as turtles.]
OUR MISSION:
To provide a protected fresh water sanctuary at the Investigator College wetland for the endangered longnecked freshwater turtles from the River Murray - an ‘Ark’.
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
TURTLES are the innocent victims of the calamity that is our Lower Lakes System.
Turtles are usually hardy and can tolerate a range of environmental changes
However, at present they are dying in their hundreds.
WHY IS IT HAPPENING?
INCREASING SALINITY in the Lower Lakes due to a stop in the flow of the River Murray has encouraged an organism, the Ficopomatus enigmaticus (tube worm) to take hold.
WHAT IS HAPPENING?
- The tube worm breeds prolifically and forms a crust over just about anything, including the shells of turtles.
- The Tube Worm forms a heavy crust over the shell of the turtle causing openings in the shell to close.
- This causes the turtle to either drown, or makes it unable to feed.
- The number of turtles in this terrible state being found by volunteers is increasing as the tube worm takes hold in the Murray River.
Students from Investigator College have been involved in the rescue of turtles affected by tube worm
TURTLE TROUBLE...
It has become apparent that the situation in the Lower Lakes is such that the rescued and cleaned turtles can not be reintroduced safely into their normal habitat at this time.
Many hundreds, if not thousands of turtles have already died, and many more will die in the coming months as they come out of hibernation.
TURTLE SANCTUARY...
The turtles that are rescued need a sanctuary (an ‘ARK’) - a healthy environment in which to live in the short term until they can return to the River Murray.
Investigator College has committed to ‘making a difference’ and making a significant positive impact. We are developing ‘The ARK Project.’ - a sanctuary for the turtles .
The ARK Project will be in two stages:
STAGE 1:
- To modify our existing wetland area into a sanctuary for the Long neck and Short neck turtles
- The Investigator College wetland is unique - it has the conditions necessary to sustain a small healthy population of Long and Short necked turtles
- It is the only area of its kind in the Lower Lakes region in a relatively quiet location
- The turtles will then be returned to the Murray River when conditions improve
Our immediate requirements are:
- Fencing repairs and upgrade
- Two small sheds 3mx3m for storage and for turtle care
- Pumps, agricultural windmill, freezer for food storage and other sundry equipment
- Plants to create an appropriate habitat
STAGE 2:
This future dated project will be situated at the Investigator College site at Currency Creek.
At present, we are seeking funding to build a secondary school Education Centre that focuses on the Lower Lakes.
This would be a school based, environmental, hands-on learning centre and facility where students can assist in research in conjunction with the Universities.
Sadly, if the salinity problem does not improve, we may be creating a museum.
Storm water is collected off the school buildings, paved and hard surfaces, re diverted and stored in two dams. One dam is approx 4,000,000 litres and the smaller dam is approx 1,300,000 litres. To be used later for irrigation of our ovals and lawns as well the dams have been developed as Wetlands habitation for Native animals, birds and water creatures. Goolwa is a low rainfall area. Our project addresses water storage and conservation. As well, Wetlands habitat is being threatened and our development provides a safe sanctuary. Instead of watching large amounts of rain water run off our land and into stormwater drains, we decided to re divert it into our dams for reuse in the summer months.
At the same time we have developed Wetlands for Native animals and birds. For every 100mm of rainfall we have collected approximately 1,000,000 litres of water to be re used on our grounds. With the help of the Federal Government the College was successful in obtaining a grant to install the pump system and an in-ground tank. Water collected from the buildings, paved areas and hard surfaces then runs into the tank which is at the lowest point on the grounds. This is then pumped automatically to the dams.
Although our project is not widely known, there have been several positive impacts for our school:
- Saving money through not relying on mains water.
- Green lawns and ovals in summer.
- Sustainable Wetlands developed for native birds and animals.
- School beginning to develop Turtle sanctuary for threatened species of the
- In the future we hope to provide an example to our students and local community how effective and beneficial stormwater harvesting can be.
- The Wetlands provide an excellent outdoor class room for students.
- Integral part of our Science, Agriculture and Horticulture courses.
- The Wetlands provide an excellent environment for the care of turtles
This is a great example for the students and community of stormwater collection and how water may be utilised for enhancing the environment. It is a working example of a more sustainable future and provides an opportunity for students to be involved in environmental activities.
College wetland 2008
Existing large dam being excavated in April 2008 to hold an additional 400, 000 litres