WILD FUTURES - Sea Turtles

These ancient sea creatures are among the most endangered animals on the planet.  Marine turtles have been on Earth for more than 230 million years, have a lifespan over over 50 years and rely on safe, clean beaches for successful breeding. As well as threats from disease, entanglement, illegal fishing and by-catch, the marine turtles' nesting beaches in northern Australia need urgent protection from predators and marine debris.

Conservation Volunteers conduct critical monitoring programs and nest protection work with a particular focus on the Flatback Turtle (Natator depressus) in the remote north-west of Western Australia.  As part of our national recovery plan, all of our research is carried out under permit and using strict ethics approved protocols.

This critical nesting and marine debris research and information is used to improve the management nesting beaches and coastlines to help conserve these special creatures.  During the nesting season, our volunteers also conduct daily surveys of beaches in Western Australia and Cobourg Peninsula in the Northern Territory, collecting information and raising community awareness about the fragile Flatbacks. We do this to ensure that these marine turtles have safe, clean beaches in which to lay their eggs and to give them the best possible chance of nesting success.  Female turtles are also tracked using GPS transmitters to follow their movements and understand their feeding habits in the vast ocean.

Saving marine turtles is urgent, important and costly.  Our supporters and volunteers provide invaluable funding and assistance to make this happen.  You can volunteer to assist in this vital turtle monitoring and marine debris projects through our Naturewise program or help us to continue our ongoing research activities with a donation.  And together we can ensure that these ancient reptiles are around for a few more million years!

Wild Futures 2012 Calendars NOW AVAILABLE!

You can also:

Follow the adventures and oceanic movements of two of our endangered turtles! Check out the satellite tracking program we have on Flatback turtles off the coast of Western Australia.

Click here to see where they are today!

WHERE IS LUCY TODAY?

Our work to help save the Sea Turtles is supported by the following organisations and individuals: