Protecting Turtles in Ramsar Wetlands
LOCATION
Barmah National Park
TRADITIONAL OWNERS
Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Turtle nest predation and recruitment
monitoring - Pest plant and Animal monitoring
- Pest plant and Animal control
- Floodplain Ecology Course
- Skills and knowledge surveys
INVESTMENT
Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust 2024-2028
PARTNERS
- Parks Victoria
- Yorta Yorta National Aboriginal Corporation
- Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI)
- Ecology Australia Pty Ltd
- Goulburn Murray Landcare Network
Goulburn Broken CMA is working in partnership to protect biodiversity in Barmah National Park from the impact of pest plants and animals.
The Barmah National Park, at approximately 30,000 hectares in area, encompasses the Barmah Forest Ramsar site and supports unique cultural and ecological values.
Goulburn Broken CMA’s Barmah Country project aims to improve the condition of the Ramsar site by reducing threats posed to native flora and fauna by feral foxes, pigs and weeds.
One of the project priorities is protecting the three species of turtles that live there: the Broad-shelled, Murray River and Eastern Long-Necked freshwater turtles. Fox activity, pig-related disturbance and weed distribution were investigated to monitor impact and determine targeted pest plant and animal control works.
Recruitment and nest predation of juvenile turtle species was monitored by ecologists from the Arthur Rylah Institute, to measure the results of pest control activities.
In a fantastic outcome, a one-to-two-day-old critically endangered Murray River Turtle hatchling was recorded in February 2025, likely the youngest ever recorded.
The turtle’s age was determined by the presence of its egg tooth which helps a hatchling break out of its shell, before falling odd in one-to-two days. This is a positive sign for the species, confirming the worthwhile impact of the pest control activities.
As part of working in partnership to protect biodiversity, the Barmah Country project supports the Joint Management Plan that gives voice to the Yorta Yorta people as the Traditional Owners of the land. This ensures their aspirations, knowledge and cultural priorities are at the forefront of healing Country.
The Barmah Country project funded a five-day floodplain ecology course, which marked its 15th year in 2024. The course brings together specialists to present and share knowledge on floodplain topics such as cultural, ecological and geomorphological aspects.
In the past year, 24 participants from 17 organisations and 20 expert presenters participated.
This project is funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by the Goulburn Broken CMA, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.
