VOLUNTEERS from Turtles Australia came across what they described as the scene of “a massacre” at Gunbower Island recently.
The group found the remains of 23 Eastern long-necked turtles at a site off the Koondrook Track, between the Black Swamp and Goat Island.
Turtles Australia founder Graham Stockfeld said it was an unusually high number of dead turtles to find.
“Most of them were fresh enough that they still smelt bad,” Mr Stockfeld said.
“They all had their heads and legs chewed off, and there was fox scat nearby.
“They were all on their back – the foxes flip them on their back.
“My guess is they were crossing between the creek and the swamp, and some fox was just pinging them off one at a time.”
The lifelong turtle advocate said the long-necked turtles were “in trouble”.
“Not only are foxes predating the species but they are highly mobile, which leads them onto roads and being killed by cars.”
Mr Stockfeld said the animals were an important part of a healthy river system.
“You should have the same biomass of turtles as you do of fish in a river,” he said.
“They’re like the garbage collectors – they eat anything and are very good nitrogen converters.”
Eastern long-necks are one of three turtle types native to the region.
The other two are the broad-shelled and Murray River species.
While Eastern long-necked and Murray River turtles are not yet listed as endangered, the broad-shelled species is.
Broad-shelled eggs can take well over a year to hatch, and in one record case over 700 days.
Mr Stockfeld said the Black Swamp area was a good nesting place for broad-shells, and the volunteers had gone there to check nests.
Luckily, after finding and recording the dead long-necks, they found 14 or 15 live broad-shelled hatchlings.
“It cheered everyone up,” he said.
Turtles Australia has been visiting Gunbower Island for a decade, usually three times a year, to map and protect nesting areas.
This is done by fitting wire or plastic mesh over the holes where eggs are laid.
Several local residents are involved with the project, and community members are generally very supportive of it, Mr Stockfeld said, with nest protection equipment stationed at various locations around Gunbower Island.
In terms of turtle awareness, Mr Stockfeld said people should be aware that turtle nesting and hatching were both triggered by rain.
“Especially when it’s raining, there will be turtles moving around,” Mr Stockfeld said.
“Just try to avoid them.
“If you see them on the road, move them off if it’s safe.
“And if people see turtles nesting they can call Turtles Australia.”
