Wai's Turtle Tracking Adventures
It was a warm, humid Spring afternoon on the 26th of September in 2024 and mum and I were eager to get our 12,500 steps in around our local Jubilee Park. As we approached the lake from the Grande Crescent playground entry, we heard a rustling where a gentleman emerged from the bush near the lake with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows and pants rolled up to his knees. He looked a little out of breath, which prompted us to ask if he was alright and if he needed help, where he then recounted his experience in returning several of our local snake-necked turtle residents back to the lake, for fear of them being exposed to predators on the wide expanse of the open lawn and mulched areas, or worse yet, face a very painful injury or potentially fatal end under the vehicle an unaware driver while crossing the road. We looked up and glanced down the path circling the lake, noticing quite a few dark shadows crossing the path and traversing the lawn. Turtles indeed! They were on the move! And SO many of them!
Jubilee Park, Success 26/09/24 14:15
Photo Copyright: Wai Yin Cheok
Touched by his act of kindness, we praised him for his valiant efforts and continued our walk, with absolutely no idea what we were in store for! We walked past scores of these snake-necked turtles that afternoon along the lawn, the fences, the paths, all of us on some agenda or another, though I’m not sure they were after the same 12,500 step count!
Our walk took us to the stretch of road between Galilee Place and Alabaster Drive along Jubilee Avenue, where we witnessed turtles navigating the road crossing and considerate drivers politely stopping to allow them to make their merry way across. We saw one, larger, more mature-looking turtle stop at a sandy patch near the many large Eucalypt gums that provide precious shade along the path, slowly but steadily digging with its’ hind legs. It finally dawned on me that we were just about to witness a turtle laying her eggs in the wild. We stopped to watch her from a respectful distance, admiring her relentless efforts and determination in digging and covering her nest, before heading towards the bush area just off the corner of Baningan Avenue and Alabaster Drive. It was here that we spotted two opportunistic ravens following a turtle into the bush while she was nesting, sadly undeterred by our flailing arms to shoo them off as they scurried back and forth to and from the nest site. We felt powerless as we knew what lay ahead for that turtle’s nest. Quietly, we sent gentle wishes of hope that some of the eggs would remain unharmed, while listening to the trees whisper the wise voice of surrender to Mother Nature as we turned to leave.
Jubilee Park, Success 26/09/24 14:49
Photo Copyright: Wai Yin Cheok
As a trained Turtle Tracker today, I’ve now learnt that we were very fortunate to have witnessed a mass nesting event that day. After the training session with Vicky Hartill, environmental education officer at the City of Cockburn, Rachel and I are now proud to be official volunteer Turtle Trackers for the Save Our Snake-Necked Turtle Program with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. I feel deeply privileged to be a part of a conscious, caring community, living amongst a diverse range of flora and fauna in suburban Success within the City of Cockburn.
- Wai Yin Cheok
