Tackling the turtles - the development of surveillance and control tools for red-eared slider turtles

Abstract

Red eared slider turtles (REST, Trachemys scripta elegans) are listed in the top 100 invasive species of the world. One of the reasons they made this list is because they are adaptable, tough, and highly elusive. This makes surveillance and control very challenging.

Queensland has been tackling red-eared slider turtles since they first detected a naturalised population in Southeast Queensland (SE QLD) in 2004. Over this time, surveillance and control tools have been steadily improved through innovation and the application of new technologies. Control tools have included barrier fencing, seine netting, trapping using a variety of trap types and designs, pitfall traps, dam draining, and fishing.

Control techniques have combined with extensive surveillance undertaken to confirm the presence or absence of red-eared slider turtles across Queensland. In the beginning, surveillance consisted of a netting survey of every waterbody within the original detection zone. This was followed by property inspections, which led to the detection of a person who was keeping, breeding, and distributing REST and the successful prosecution by the Department. These findings initiated an intensive control program to remove over 150
individual turtles.

Surveillance techniques were revolutionised in 2014 by utilising basking platforms that take advantage of a turtle’s natural behaviour to bask in the sun. Surveillance platforms are fitted with monitoring cameras and most recently with aluminium strips where eDNA is collected. Each surveillance and control technique has undergone incremental improvements through trial, and collaboration to increase their effectiveness. There have been successes and failures, with some limitations remaining problematic.

There is an ongoing threat of red-eared slider turtles becoming established in Queensland due to the illegal trade, and subsequent releases of exotic reptiles. As such, REST
surveillance and control is essential to protect Queensland and has been on a journey of accomplishments and downfalls encountered during the development of tools.