SUNSHINE COAST DAILY (Maroochydore, Australia) 26 November 07 Turtle could wreak havoc on Coast waterways (Kerryn Manifold)

The red-eared slider turtle’s name sounds as sinister as the impact it could have on our waterways.

A sample of the exotic species was found on Maroochy Beach near the airport in August and experts have asked the public to be on the look out for the amphibian.

Because of the class one pest’s colourful red stripe behind each eye, it is sometimes kept as a pet and it is thought the discovery might have come from somebody’s aquarium.

Maroochy Water Watch project officer Vaughn Nash said the turtle could threaten native species in local waters.

“It’s quite an aggressive species,” Mr Nash said.

“It can grow to about dinner plate size and, because of that, they compete with our native turtles.

“They’re more dominant so they scrounge all the fish and bits and pieces first.

“Given the warmer weather we’ve been having, they could lay double clutches so the population could increase quite quickly,” he said.

Mr Nash said the fresh waters west of the Bruce Highway contained long neck and short neck turtles as well as other species.

He also said the proposed Mary River Dam would provide a perfect habitat for the species where it would threaten the Mary River turtle if it were to be discovered there.

Even though the population of the pest is thought to be quite low, if a red-eared slider colony boomed, local populations could be decimated.

“Our native turtles could die out because there wouldn’t be enough resources there,” Mr Nash said.

South-east Queensland Catchments community partnerships manager Susie Chapman said this was the first time the serious pest had been discovered in Maroochy.

Exerts will hold a workshop for the community on Thursday a Sunshine Coast University at 5.30pm.

People can contact Ms Chapman on 54594788 for more information.

Anybody who sees a red-eared slider should contact Maroochy Water Watch and people who may have one in captivity should contact the EPA.
Turtle could wreak havoc on Coast waterways

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