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Summary of the rediscovery of the Jardine
River turtle in Australia: management
implications and recommendations
ALASTAIR FREEMAN, BRIAN BENHAM, DANIEL SEBASIO,
JOHN CANN, AND WARREN STREVENS
Prepared by: Threatened Species Unit. Department of Environment and Heritage Protection
© State of Queensland, 2014.
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Disclaimer
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publication. The department holds no responsibility for any errors or omissions within this document. Any decisions made by
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Citation
Freeman AB, Benham B, Sebasio, D, Cann, J, & Strevens, W. 2014. Summary of the rediscovery of the Jardine River turtle in
Australia: Management implications and recommendations. Brisbane: Department of Environment and Heritage Protection,
Queensland Government.
Acknowledgements
This work would not have happened without the support and participation of the Northern Australia Area Regional
Council/Apudthama land and Sea Ranger Program, Origin Energy, the Apudthama Land Council, Cape York Natural Resource
Management Group and the Threatened Species Unit, Environment and Heritage Protection. With his knowledge and
experience of the turtle fishing guide Gary Wright provided invaluable help.
February 2015
CCI
iii
Table of Contents
Overview 1
1.0 Introduction 2
2.0 Methods 3
2.1 Survey Area 3
2.2 Trapping techniques 3
2.3 Population Monitoring 4
4.0 Results 6
4.1 August survey results 6
4.2 September monitoring results 6
4.3 Habitat 10
5.0 Discussion 13
6.0 Conservation Issues and Management 13
6.1 Feral pigs 13
6.2 Poaching 14
6.3 Climate Change 14
6.4 Monitoring and survey 14
7.0 Management summary 15
8.0 References Cited 16
Summary of the rediscovery of the Jardine River turtle in Australia: management implications and recommendations
1
Overview
In August 2014, trapping surveys by Origin Energy and Northern Peninsula Regional Council Apudthama Land and
Sea rangers
1
, with the assistance of Threatened Species Unit staff from Environment and Heritage Protection and
volunteers, rediscovered the Jardine River turtle (Emydura subglobosa subglobosa) in Australia. These records
were the first in Australia since 1996 . The survey covered a significant area of the lower and middle reaches of
the Jardine River and surrounding swamps and waterholes including waterholes near the tip of Cape York and a
waterway in the town of Bamaga, but only found the turtle at four sites with only one of these four sites having
significant numbers. Monitoring of two of the four sites in September 2014 by rangers and Threatened Species
staff resulted in 25 turtle being weighed and measured and permanently marked as the first step in an ongoing
monitoring program for the turtle in this area.
Preliminary observations and assessment have identified three potential threats to the turtle in the area, feral pig
predation of nests, poaching for the southern pet markets, and the impacts of climate change on the length and
intensity of the dry season.
Fig 1: Apudthama Land and Sea rangers show traditional owners the techniques used to measure and weigh the
turtles when first captured (Photo Origin Energy)
1
Hereafter referred to as Apudthama Land and Sea rangers
Summary of the rediscovery of the Jardine River turtle in Australia: management implications and recommendations
2
1.0 Introduction
The Jardine River or Painted turtle (Emydura subglobosa subglobosa) is a small, short neck turtle that occurs in the
freshwater swamps, wetlands and river systems of coastal New Guinea and the northern tip of Cape York
Peninsula in Australia. The Australian distribution is restricted to the Jardine River drainage (Cann, 1978; Rhodin,
1993; Cann, 1998; Georges et. al., 2006; Wilson and Swan, 2013) and is only known from a few localities in the
middle reaches of the river (Covacevich, 1987; Cann, 1998; Schaffer et. al., 2009; Freeman et. al. unpub. data;
Gary Wright pers. com.).
It was first recorded in Australia in the early 1970’s and had only been captured and sighted fewer than 10 times
until the last sighting in 1996 (Cann, 1998; Schaffer, et. al., 2009; Gary Wright pers. com.). Always considered
rare, early observations suggested that it had suffered a significant decline in population size. For example, over
the five years between 2003-2008, the naturalist and guide Gary Wright, an experienced observer of Jardine River
turtles, spent approximately 306 hours on parts of the river where they were once commonly sighted and observed
and recorded none (pers.com.). In November 2008, an expedition with the specific aim of ascertaining the current
status of the Jardine River turtle surveyed approximately 40km of the Jardine River using baited traps for a total
sampling effort of 2,318 trap hours (Schaffer et. al., 2009). This work targeted areas that were known to have
Jardine River turtles in the past, but failed to capture or sight any freshwater turtles. A survey in 2013 also failed to
find any sign of it. Up until August 2014, the last confirmed sighting in Australia was 1996. In August 2014,
surveys carried out by Origin Energy staff and rangers from the Apudthama Land and Sea rangers with the
assistance of Threatened Species staff re-discovered this turtle at four sites, the first confirmed sightings since
1996, in Australia.
While this turtle is still considered widespread in Papua New Guinea it is the subject of intense hunting pressure
(Georges et. al., 2006) in contrast the Jardine River population is the subject of little or no hunting. It is currently
listed as “Near Threatened” under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act (NCA) 1992 although this may change
in the future with a proposal for its listing to be upgraded to the higher threat category of “Vulnerable” currently
awaiting final approval from the Queensland government. In light of data collected during the current survey this
may be further revised with the turtle possibly being listed as Endangered in Australia in the near future.
All indications from the current survey and past work are that this turtle is extremely rare in Australia. During the
present surveys less than 35 individuals from four sites were located. The vast majority of these individuals were
confined to only one site. The approximate extent of occurrence in Australia based on historical sightings (between
1972 and 2014) has been calculated as approximately 5519 hectares (A. Freeman, unpub. data) while its area of
occupancy within this area would be much smaller.
This report will detail the results of the latest field survey carried out on the Jardine River turtle and the implications
of these results for management of this turtle in Australia.
Summary of the rediscovery of the Jardine River turtle in Australia: management implications and recommendations
3
2.0 Methods
Traps were used to sample suitable habitat that had been identified prior to the survey dates.
2.1 Survey Area
The survey area encompassed the lower and middle reaches of the Jardine River and included side lagoons,
waterholes and swamp areas as well as parts of Crystal Creek, a catchment south of the Jardine River. Surveys
were also carried out on waterholes and creek systems to the north of Bamaga (Fig 2).
Fig 2: All sites surveyed for Jardine River turtle August 2014
2.2 Trapping techniques
Baited Cathedral turtle traps were used. Bait used included tinned sardines in oil and bread; tinned, sardine based
cat food; and bread and decomposed fish scraps. The use of the latter bait ceased when it became apparent that
this type of bait was particularly attractive to estuarine crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) which resulted in the
destruction of three turtle traps (Fig 3).
Summary of the rediscovery of the Jardine River turtle in Australia: management implications and recommendations
4
Fig 3: Examining estuarine crocodile damage to turtle trap (Photo John Cann)
As the primary aim of the survey was to locate the turtle, traps were set on the basis of what was most likely to
achieve this aim. Specific habitats were targeted including the lower and middle reaches of the Jardine River, as
well as side lagoons and waterholes through this area and waterholes and creeks in Bamaga and towards the tip of
Cape York.
During the August survey traps were used to sample 58 sites over two time periods (5th to the 14th and the 26th to
the 29th ). One site was sampled twice over the two survey periods. The number of traps at any given site varied
between one and four.
The traps were set for periods of one to four days for a total of 153.5 trap nights. These sites varied from riverine
habitat and individual waterholes to lagoons and swamps.
When caught, turtles were retained for periods up to 48 hours in plastic crates for the collection of data including
the taking of tissue for DNA analysis. Two tiny slivers of tissue (approx. 3x1mm in length) were collected from the
rear flippers of 16 turtles. One set was sent to University of Canberra researchers the other was lodged with the
Queensland Museum. This material will be used to help clarify the taxonomic relationships within northern
Australia Emydura turtles. This research will potentially have significant implications for the conservation
management of this turtle in Australia. Once all data collection was completed, turtles were released at the site of
capture.
2.3 Population Monitoring
In early September, two of the four sites with Jardine River turtle were re-visited with the specific aim of
permanently marking and measuring Jardine River turtles. Two traps were set at each of the two sites over a
period of 10 days for a total of 40 trap nights (4-14 September 2014). For each animal captured, the following
measurements were taken: head length (HL), head width (HW), straight carapace length (SCL) and width (SCW),
plastron length (PL) and width (PW) and tail to carapace edge (TC). These were measured to the nearest
millimetre using vernier callipers. Weight was measured to the nearest gram using a digital balance. All females
captured were palpated to ascertain if they were gravid. Turtles were individually scute notched and flipper tagged
and an injectable PIT tag was inserted under the carapace.
Summary of the rediscovery of the Jardine River turtle in Australia: management implications and recommendations
5
External damage to limbs, carapace, plastron and head was recorded for each individual. Turtles were then
classified into one of three broad damage categories using the following classification scheme (Table 1).
Table 1: Definitions of broad damage categories allocated to each turtle
No damage (does not include normal “wear and tear”)
No more than minor scratches on carapace and\or plastron
No damage to limbs, claws or head.
Chips on marginal scales small <0.5cm in depth and <0.5cm in width
Minor damage (turtles with one or more of the following)
Major scratches on carapace and\or plastron (can include mating
scratches on female carapace)
Minor damage to limbs and\or loss of one or more claws and\or minor
damage to head
Chips on marginal scales >0.5cm in depth and > 0.5cm in width but no
larger than a single scale in overall size
Major damage (turtles with one or more of the following)
Major scratches and\or healed or unhealed factures on carapace and\or
plastron
Major damage to and\or loss of limbs, major damage to head
Chips on marginal scales larger than single scales
Summary of the rediscovery of the Jardine River turtle in Australia: management implications and recommendations
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4.0 Results
4.1 August survey results
Over the course of the survey in August of a total of 38 turtle captures, 32 of (including recaptures) were Jardine
River turtle (Fig 4), three were saw shells (Wollumbinia latisternum) and three were northern long neck (Chelodina
oblonga). The number of Jardine River turtles captured at each of the four sites during the August surveys varied
considerable with 28 turtles being captured at one site, two at another and one at each of the other two sites. All
four sites were off river waterholes and swamps.
Fig 4: Origin Energy environmental staff and Apudthama Land Sea rangers with the first Jardine River turtles seen
in Australia since 1996 (Photo Origin Energy)
4.2 September monitoring results
Monitoring in September concentrated on the two sites (JWH1 and JWH2) where most of the turtle had been
captured during the August surveys. Over the course of the 40 trap nights a total of 25 individuals were captured,
22 of which were caught at JWH1. Of these 22 individuals eight were recaptured once and two were recaptured
twice during the course of the monitoring. There were no recaptures at JWH2. Based on the ratio of tail length to
SCL sixteen Jardine River turtles were identified as female and nine, male (Figs 5 to 7).
Summary of the rediscovery of the Jardine River turtle in Australia: management implications and recommendations
7
Fig 5: Correlation of the ratio of SCL (Straight Carapace length) to TL (Tail Length) as an indicator of sex (red -
male; blue - female).
Mean SCL and weight of males was smaller than that of the females captured (Tables 2 and 3). There was a bias
towards females, with female captures exceeding males by a ratio of 1.7 : 1, however the small sample sizes
preclude any statistical analysis.
Table 2 and 3: Summary statistics for weight and SCL for all Jardine River turtles measured (not including those
that were recaptured during the course of the monitoring).
Weight(g)
Mean
Max
Min
SD
Male (n=9)
320.0
1000.0
175.0
257.7
Female (n=16)
538.4
1115.0
190.0
302.9
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00
Tail length (cm)
Straight Carapace length (cm)
M
F
SCL(cm)
Mean
Max
Min
SD
Male (n=9)
13.71
18.51
11.75
1.95
Female (n=16)
16.44
22.42
12.23
3.15
Summary of the rediscovery of the Jardine River turtle in Australia: management implications and recommendations
8
Fig 6: Large female Jardine River turtle from the northern tip of Cape York, captured during the current survey
(Photo Alastair Freeman)
Fig 7: Male Jardine River turtle from the northern tip of Cape York, captured during the current survey (Photo
Alastair Freeman)
Summary of the rediscovery of the Jardine River turtle in Australia: management implications and recommendations
9
Two of the female turtles captured were gravid, one had a SCL of 18.31cm the other 20.25cm. In Jardine River
turtles from Papua New Guinea sexual maturity in both males and females is reached at a carapace length of 14-
15cm (Georges et. al., 2006). If we assume this is the same in the northern Australia population ten of the 16
females (Fig 8: Table 3) and one of the nine males captured were adult (Fig 8).
Fig 8: Correlation of the ratio of SCL (Straight Carapace length) to TL (Tail Length) as an indicator of sex (red -
male; blue - female) with adults indicated by circles based on a SCL of 15cm (Georges et. al., 2006).
Table 3: Summary statistics for adult female (not including those that were recaptured).
The maximum observed size for females at 22.42cm SCL was less than that recorded for Papua New Guinea
females and less than that recorded previously for the northern Australian Jardine River turtles. At 18.51cm SCL,
the only adult male captured was larger than any previously measured male Jardine River turtle in Australia or New
Guinea.
The current dataset indicates that there are gaps in the population structure with certain age classes not
represented at all in the capture statistics. For example, no turtles with a SCL smaller than 11.75cm SCL, no
female with a SCL between 13.27cm and 16.97cm and no males with a SCL between 14.37cm and 18.51cm were
recorded.
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00
Tail length (cm)
Straight Carapace length (cm)
M
F
SCL(cm)
Mean
Max
Min
SD
Female (n=10)
18.60
22.42
16.97
1.62
Summary of the rediscovery of the Jardine River turtle in Australia: management implications and recommendations
10
No turtle captured suffered from major damage with 20 individuals classified as having “minor” damage and five;
“none”. Sixty four percent (n=16) of the turtles measured had fresh shell rot infections in small or moderate
amounts on their carapace while a further five showed healed scarring from the condition (Fig 9).
Fig 9: Carapace of a male Jardine River turtle showing healed scarring from past shell infections (Photo Alastair
Freeman)
4.3 Habitat
All four sites where the Jardine River turtle were caught were off river waterholes. However, between the different
sites there was significant variation in habitat (Table 4; Figs 10 to 13).
Table 4: Habitat descriptions for the four sites where Jardine River turtles were captured (JRT=Jardine River
turtles)
Site
Description
JRT
August
JRT
Sept
JWH1
Discrete, clear water deep waterhole ( >1.6m). Melaleuca sp.
distributed around edge, shallow areas with Eleocharis (spike
rush), Clearwater in deeper ( >1m) parts of the waterhole. Thick
bottom layer of algae in clearwater areas. Recent fire scars evident
on trees standing in water.
28
22
JWH2
Shallow (<50cm in depth) swamp with thick coverage of Melaleuca
sp. and Barringtonia acutangula (freshwater mangrove). Recent fire
scars evident on trees standing in water
2
3
JWH3
Narrow waterhole 30X10m in size part of a chain of waterholes
1
JWH4
Thin oxbow/channel 10m wide very long, part of chain of
waterholes
1
Two of the waterholes (JWH 1 and JWH 2) had no connection to the main channel of the Jardine River but would
be connected to the river during the monsoonal wet season.
Summary of the rediscovery of the Jardine River turtle in Australia: management implications and recommendations
11
Fig 10: JWH 1 waterhole with Melaleuca sp. around the edge and spike rush in the centre. The depth of the open
water in the foreground had prevented expansion of the spike rush into this part of the waterhole (Photo Alastair
Freeman)
Fig 11: JWH 1 a thick layer of algae on the bottom was apparent in those areas clear of the spike rush (foreground)
(Photo Alastair Freeman)
Summary of the rediscovery of the Jardine River turtle in Australia: management implications and recommendations
12
Fig 12: JWH 2 a shallow water swamp with little open water, most of the swamp area is occupied by Melaleuca sp.
and Barringtonia acutangula
Fig 13: Checking traps on JWH 2.
Summary of the rediscovery of the Jardine River turtle in Australia: management implications and recommendations
13
5.0 Discussion
Observations made during the August 2014 survey support the view that the Jardine River turtle is extremely rare
in Australia. The current survey located this turtle at only four sites despite an extensive search through the lower
and middle reaches of the Jardine River, surrounding swamps and waterholes. All sites were off river waterholes
that connect to the Jardine River during the monsoonal wet season. This is similar to habitat that has been
recorded for this turtle in New Guinea, where they have been observed in “... shallow lentic ponds...” (pg 47;
Rhodin, 1993) and “...seasonally inundated wetlands...” (pg 378; Georges et. al., 2006) and matches the
description of the habitat where the first Jardine River turtle was discovered in 1972 in Australia of a small
temporary shallow lagoon (pg 286; Covacevich et. al., 1982). Some years later the same lagoon was trapped by
researchers who failed to catch any turtles (Cann, 1998) which is indicative that these dry season habitats are at
times ephemeral. This is supported by the presence of submerged Melaleuca in these waterholes. While
paperbarks can live for months and even years with submerged roots they do require dry periods to survive and for
seedlings to germinate (Romanowski, 2013).
Despite being common in the Jardine River and surrounding wetlands, there were no estuarine crocodiles present
at at least two of the four sites where the Jardine River turtle occurred, including JWH1 the site where the vast
majority of all captures occurred. The presence or absence of these known turtle predators may be an important
factor in whether individual turtles can survive the dry season in these off river refugia. Other than those turtles
captured in 1972 in a shallow lagoon, previous successful surveys during the dry season have tended to catch or
observe this turtle in the main channel or in waterholes directly connected to the main channel, however never in
numbers of more than one or two individuals. The availability of off river, crocodile free waterholes that do not dry
out may be an important habitat feature for this turtle in northern Australia during the dry season. During the wet
season these holes are re-connected to the main channel of the river and the turtles can potentially range widely
through the river system. In Papua New Guinea, this species has been recorded in estuarine areas as well as
freshwater swamps (Carla Eisemberg pers. com.). Whether the individuals from the Jardine River do the same is
unknown.
Despite residing in an environment with large turtle predators and subject to seasonal flooding none of the turtles
that were captured had significant levels of external damage. Many of the turtles captured did have a form of "shell
rot" as well as having many healed scars indicative of past infections. Such an infection can be bacterial or fungal
and maybe related to poor water quality, diet and/or stress all of which may be issues for turtles forced to
congregate in dry season refugia. While it was commonly observed in the turtles during the current survey it is
probably not a significant threat. The turtles had long healed shell rot scars which would indicate that this is not a
one off occurrence and indeed maybe a regular condition in dry season refugia.
The limited amount of population data collected indicated that the Australian population of the Jardine River turtle
does not successfully reproduce every year with gaps in size (age) classes indicative of these unsuccessful years.
The reason that this may occur is currently unknown, it may be related to environmental conditions such as the
impact on dry season refugia of particularly severe drought years or high levels of nest predation.
6.0 Conservation Issues and Management
Three main threats to Jardine River turtles in Australia have been identified:
6.1 Feral pigs
Feral pigs have been identified as a major threat to successful nesting in turtles, both marine and freshwater
(Cann, 1998; Environment Australia, 2003; Doherty, 2005; Fordham et. al., 2006). Such predation can result in an
adult biased population structure with the smallest cohorts being underrepresented in surveys and hence amongst
turtles captured for measuring, as was seen in the current surveys. Recent feral pig digging was also apparent
adjacent to the waterholes where the Jardine River turtles were captured although there was no sign of predated
nests.
Summary of the rediscovery of the Jardine River turtle in Australia: management implications and recommendations
14
Currently, a limited level of pig control using hunting using dogs is implemented by Apudthama Land and Sea
rangers at the two most important sites for the turtle (JWH1 and 2). This current program should be expanded into
a more integrated program using a variety of techniques. It may be necessary to use a combination of baiting,
trapping, ground and aerial shooting to achieve the appropriate level of control. Such a program should target
known dry season refugia during the nesting season (September to November). Fencing important waterhole
habitats is also an option for pig control. However, because of monsoonal flooding such fencing should be
temporary, designed so that it can be easily assembled at the start of the dry season and disassembled at the end.
This is particularly important as we currently have no idea of the Jardine River turtle's patterns of movement within
the wider riverine system over the wet season, until this is known permanent fencing should be avoided. Recent
research has identified significant freshwater turtle mortality associated with management fences. Ferronato et. al.
(2014) documented direct and indirect mortality to snake-necked turtles (C. longicollis) that became trapped behind
a management fence when trying to disperse between wetlands subsequently dying from overheating and
predation. The northern long neck that occur at two of the four Jardine River turtle sites is known to make similar
dispersal journeys between wetlands (Cann,1998).
6.2 Poaching
This turtle is popular in the pet trade in Australia because of its distinctive pattern and colouration. Initially the
demand for this turtle was meet with animals sourced from West Papua/Irian Jaya. Today the Australian captive
population is thought to be entirely of New Guinea origin although turtles are no longer imported from there and the
demand for captive Jardine River turtles is meet by Australian breeders. Poaching of turtles for the pet trade has
been identified as a potential threat although, as yet, the level of threat (if at all) is unknown. However, with such a
small known population the removal of even a small number of individuals from the wild is potentially a significant
threat. A program of regular patrols by Apudthama Land and Sea rangers of sites that have this turtle should be
instigated particularly during the main tourist season in the region which takes place over the dry season (June to
September).
6.3 Climate Change
Observations from this work would indicate that dry season; off river refugia may be important to this species.
These refugia by their very nature are likely to be ephemeral with the length of time they retain water dependent on
the length and intensity of the dry season. Climate change modelling predicts that the climate of northern Cape
York will be subject to more frequent and intense drought conditions with potential evaporation increasing 7 to 14%
by 2070 (Queensland Government, 2009). Such conditions will reduce amount of dry season refugia available to
the Jardine River turtles as the number of ephemeral waterholes that can retain water in any given dry season is
reduced. Monitoring of known dry season refugia may be needed and if widespread drought conditions are
occurring direct translocation of individual turtles from waterholes that are drying up to more substantive bodies of
water may be necessary. However, as our understanding of the ecology of this species is poor and the impact of
translocation on individual turtles unknown, such a management option should only be considered as a last resort.
6.4 Monitoring and survey
To understand population health, movement and reproductive behaviour monitoring of numbers at known dry
season refugia including permanent marking should continue on a yearly basis. Where possible this should also
include the assessing the timing and success of each nesting season. In association with this ongoing monitoring it
would be appropriate to encourage research alliances with suitable university researchers who would be interested
in examining the ecology of the species in more detail. All monitoring and management of research should be
coordinated by the Apudthama Land and Sea ranger organisation in association with the Threatened Species Unit
(EHP) (Fig 14).
Summary of the rediscovery of the Jardine River turtle in Australia: management implications and recommendations
15
Fig 14: Future on ground conservation management of the Jardine River turtle will be reliant on the efforts of the
Apudthama Land and Sea rangers in association with state and federal authorities (Photos John Cann and Origin
Energy).
More wide ranging surveys for new sites should also continue. These could be integrated into the yearly work
plans of the Apudthama Land and Sea rangers to be carried out on a regular basis during the course of the dry
season. More comprehensive "one off" surveys as was seen in 2013 and 2014 are to be encouraged where they
can be appropriately integrated into a management strategy for the turtle.
7.0 Management summary
Systematic pig control in the vicinity of known turtle refugia should be implemented during the nesting season
at the moment this is thought to be over the period September to November
Yearly monitoring of the turtles should continue involving the permanent marking of individuals, assessing the
timing and success of nesting and monitoring water levels in dry season refugia
A program of regular patrols by Apudthama rangers of known Jardine River turtle sites particularly during the
peak tourist season
Research partnerships should be developed with appropriate academic institutions to further detailed
knowledge of the biology of the turtle
Summary of the rediscovery of the Jardine River turtle in Australia: management implications and recommendations
16
8.0 References Cited
Cann, J. 1978. Tortoises of Australia. Angus and Robertson, Australia. 79pp.
Cann, J. 1998. Australian freshwater turtles. Beumont Publishing, Singapore. 292pp.
Covacevich, J. Ingram, G.J. and Czechura, G. V.1982. Rare frogs and reptiles of Cape York Peninsula, Australia.
Biological Conservation 22: 283-294.
Doherty, J. 2005. Ecological impact assessment of feral pig predation in marine turtle breeding habitat on the west
coast of Cape York. Unpublished Master's Thesis Charles Darwin University, Darwin. 71pp.
Environment Australia. 2003. Recovery Plan for marine turtles in Australia. Environment Australia, Canberra. 43pp.
Ferronato, B.O, Roe, J.H.and Georges, A. 2014. Reptile bycatch in a pest-exclusion fence established for wildlife
reintroductions. Journal for Nature Conservation (In press).
Fordham, D., Georges, A., Corey, B., and Brook, B. 2006. Feral pig predation threatens the indigenous harvest
and local persistence of snake-necked turtles in northern Australia. Biological Conservation 133: 379-388.
Georges, A., Fiorenzo, G. and Bito, B. 2006. Freshwater turtles of the Transfly region of Papua New Guinea –
notes on diversity, distribution, reproduction, harvest and trade. Wildlife Research 33: 373-384.
Queensland Government. 2009. ClimateQ toward a greener Queensland. DERM. Brisbane. 224pp.
Rhodin, A.G. J.1993. Range extension for Emydura subglobosa in Papua New Guinea. Chelonian Conservation
and Biology 1: 47-48.
Romanowski, N. 2013. Living waters. Ecology of animals in swamps, rivers lakes and dams. CSIRO Publishing,
Collingwood. 292pp.
Schaffer, J., and Doupe´, G. 2009 What for the future of the Jardine River turtle? Pacific Conservation Biology 15:
92-95.
Wilson, S. and Swan, G. 2013. A complete guide to reptiles of Australia. New Holland Press. Chatswood.
