Turtle crossing, who do I speak to?

[ally_pup]

Okay so here goes.

Went up to Townsville for a few days, in the same spot on the highway both going there and coming back I crossed a section were there were dead turtles all over the road. When coming back noticed two long neck turtles trying to cross but by the time a turned the car around to get them off the road a semi killed both of them.
Speaking to my uncle at a barbeque (who's a truck driver) last night said that section has been a well known turtle crossing for a couple of years.

Now my question is does anyone think I have a chance of speaking to someone about getting warning signs or something put in that section of highway to maybe make people aware of this? Who would I speak to about this?
It really broke my heart that I couldnt save them.
Any suggestions muchly appreciated.
Ally

[-Peter]

If you are willing to do bit of leg work you can achieve something.
Whats needed is a turtle underpass. You need to start talking to local wildlife groups, Parks and EPA, and contact Craig and Gabby (Expansa)and see if AFTCRA will support it or they may have the right directions for you. Basically you have to make a noise and rattle a few cages.
Good luck

[flickchick99]

i have no idea what you should do. but i wish you all the best of luck and think its a wonderful thing to fix. make some noise and dont give up

[missllamathuen]

that is horrible, although it is a good idea so people no to look out it would stop some things but on those highways there are alot of idiots who dont pay attention to anything, but i do think that if people see the signs they would be keeping more of an eye out on the road

[MoreliaMatt]

signs wont do anything!
like peter said you will need to contact the council to make a turtle underpass under the road for the turtles.... however your gonna need strong backing from wildlife groups in your favour!

[Shonfield]

Originally Posted by MoreliaMatt

signs wont do anything!
like peter said you will need to contact the council to make a turtle underpass under the road for the turtles.... however your gonna need strong backing from wildlife groups in your favour!

id be pretty sure a fair few herp societies would push for it

[ally_pup]

So starting point?? Petition??

[missllamathuen]

yea do a petition maby bring it up at one of those herp meetings if ur alowed too?

[mrmikk]

You need support and you need to petition council and the EPA. It is a very worthwhile cause, be dogged in your determination and you will get there, but be prepared for bureacracy!

I had the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (Qld) amended about 10 years ago regarding micro-chipping/DNA sampling of Major Mitchell Cockatoos kept as pets, this was when Molly Robson was the Minister for the Environment, Qld Govt. It was a lot of hard work and strategising, but the most important thing is, it can be done.

Ultimately, if you present a logical, well researched and structured, objective argument, it is difficult for Govt. to pass off.

Good look in your effort and kudos to you, keep us updated on your progress.

[Wolfette]

Hey I am a Townsville local and I am aware of a section along Ipswich Highway Garbutt, where the road goes directly through a swamp filled with turtles...they are always getting run over!!!

I won't drive down that road anymore and think it is rediculous that there is a road there in the first instance - it consistently floods and is full of pot holes and there it's narrow stretch with no room on the sides of the roads to swirve.

I am still traumatised over the time I stopped my car on the very edge of the water/road, managed to stop the cars on the other side of the road and just as I was about to run across and grab to poor terrified turtle a speeding car came along and had thier head down looking for something - they almost hit me!! and the turlte was run over right in front of me!! The drivers that had stopped and witnessed it - got out and we were all standing there watching as his long neck and head slowly hit the ground with his crushed shell behind him.

It was horrible and if anyone needed any support to get that road fixed I'm your man (women actually) - so let me know if you want me to sign something or petition the Council for you. In addition to the fact that the road was built directly through thier pond - the road itself is a death trap, with numerous pot holes from the flooding - they will need to fix the road soon anyway so now is our time to ask them to rethink thier design!!

Shellie.

[$N@K3$]

Where abouts were they i live in Townsville

[flickchick99]

hows this going, any progess or petition set up yet?
i think its wonderful what you are doing

[bredli_lover]

Write to the local newspaper! And sad as this is...it might help your argument if you had a few pictures....

[michelleryan]

Hi,

I am currently completing my PhD on the effect of roadkill on longicollis populations. I have found many areas are 'hotspots' for turtle crossings, with a number being killed in the same spot.

You will need to possibly either record/pick up all the roadkill and the exact location for it. Once you have some solid data on the numbers, sexes being killed and its effect on the population, contact the council about turtle crossing signs. I am not sure how effective they will be. In one area in Canada they believe they reduced roadkill by 30%, but if it is a highway with high speeds, I am not sure.

There is also a number of issues with putting barriers ect. in as it can stop movement of turtles and other animal species which can cause a large problem with biodiversity loss, so that would need to be looked into before anything (other than signs) are done, but the EPA/DECC will do that if it gets that far.

I am in Sydney and have found that turtle movement has slowed down down due to a drop in the temp. So now may not be the best time to do it.

Here are a few sites for you.

http://www.gopetition.com.au/petitio...tle-signs.html

http://www.kawarthaturtle.org/

http://www.torontozoo.com/adoptapond/Ecopassages.asp?

If you want some more or some copies of scientific journals p.m. me and I can get some copies to help you.

Michelle

[jessb]

Yep, I reckon as much as you need support from environmental groups and council, it is more important to get the local media on your side! I don't know what difference signs would make, especially on the highway. People are usually going too fast to avoid a slow-moving turtle. I think an underpass is better.

Take some high res pics of the spot with a few dead turtles if possible, write a 1-2 page pitch listing all the reasons it would be beneficial to the area to add an underpass (bullet points are good) and if possible give them an "angle" eg there is a rare/threatened species who lives in the area, or whatever you can find out. Direct it to the appropriate person (eg the enviromental/local issues editor) If you can do some of their work for them, then the local paper will be more likely to write an article to support you.

Then you will have some publicity behind you for the petition (if possible get the paper to say "The petition will be available to sign at the local shops at 11am on Saturday")

Take the petition to council with as much publicity and fanfare as possible - it is an emotive issue, turtles are cute and you should be able to get plenty of support. The more noise you make, the more likely politicians will pay attention!

Good luck, it is a really great thing to do and I hope you are successful!