Flaviemys purvisi
Very Well-Known Member
OCTOBER 18 2018
Dani Brown
BE CAREFUL: Goolwa resident Sally Geschmay and Alexandrina Wildlife Support Group chair Deanne Smith put out signs on Kessell Road near the Alexandrina Council depot to urge people to watch out for turtles. Photo: Dani Brown.
A community initiative is urging motorists on Kessell Road at Goolwa to take extra care as eastern long-necked turtles become more active in the area.
Goolwa resident Sally Geschmay and Alexandrina Wildlife Support Group chair Deanne Smith put out signs on the road near the council depot on Monday, October 15 after seeing a large group of the turtles crossing the road.
“I came out expecting the turtles to be nesting, and there ended up being babies,” Miss Smith said.
“We saw 20 on Monday, we were able to help them but unfortunately two died.”
The pair helped the turtles across the road to the nearby ponds.
“If you see a turtle on the road, you should put it to the side they’re heading to,” Miss Smith said.
Ms Geschmay made the signs after seeing Miss Smith’s post on Facebook urging people to slow down on the road.
“People should be more aware, they’re an endangered species and we should try to protect them,” she said.
They are in the process of requesting council put up proper signs, but said their homemade signs would have to do until then.
“I hope people get aware and maybe the council get on board after elections with the community to signpost the area,” Ms Geschmay said.
Miss Smith said people should keep an eye out from now, but especially around the height of nesting in November.