Bribie Island Turtle Trackers
What are we doing?
BIEPA commends the important work of Bribie Island Turtle Trackers (BITTs), a specialist group of autonomous, Government-trained and Accredited Turtle Monitors and Marine Strandings Responders who work directly to protect the marine turtles of Bribie Island and our surrounding waters.
Why are we doing it?
BIEPA is involved in raising community awareness of the need to protect threatened turtles and their habitat from a range of threats, while BITTs volunteers are active on the beaches:
Monitoring
To report accurate scientific data on nesting activities to the DES.
To protect nesting mothers and their nests from human-preventable disturbances
To relocate nests that are at significant risk e.g. from predation, dune erosion or inundation
To maximise the number of hatchlings that make it from nest to ocean.
Marine Stranding Response
Respond to callouts on behalf of QPWS/Marine Parks and Council
Process strandings data and submit reports to DES
Assist in arranging transport to the Wildlife Hospital if appropriate
Who is involved?
Diane Oxenford
Jean Taplin
Kylie Hankens
Jenny Archer
Camila Smith
Donna Pearce
Mike Watts
Some Bribie Island Turtle Trackers are also members of BIEPA.
How are we doing it?
Every morning at sunrise during the turtle nesting and hatching season (November to April) the Bribie Island Turtle Trackers walk along stretches of Woorim Beach to check for tracks of turtles which may have laid eggs overnight. Then, after the approximately 8-week incubation period, they look for traces of hatchlings having made their way to the ocean. Data on the number and location of the nests, the number of eggs laid, and how many hatched successfully is then reported to the Queensland Department of Environment and Science.
Throughout the year, the team also responds to calls from the public concerning stranded, sick or dead turtles. If the turtle is still alive, they arrange for its transport to the Wildlife Hospital. Data on all the incidents attended is reported to the Marine Strandings office at QPWS.
How can you help?
Turtle tracking requries a significant committment of time, energy, and discipline. BITTs members have to complete a training course at the Mon Repos Turtle Centre, patrol the beach in all weather for many hours during the night or day during turtle season, respond quickly to calls about injured, sick, or deceased turtles, and participate in collection and reporting of detailed nesting and hatching data.
If you think you have what it takes, contact diane@oxenford.net to learn more.
