Arc gets busy as turtles start breeding season

The turtles were picked up crossing Hope Road and Progress Drive in Bibra Lake, likely travelling to lay their eggs, on October 3.

Four of the turtles died, 13 were released after a thorough assessment and one had to have its shell surgically repaired.

Manager and animal care coordinator Dean Huxley said he hoped the turtle would make a full recovery, despite shells taking up to 12 months to heal.

Mr Huxley said it was a busy time of year for Native Arc, with the potential for up to 20 admissions a day on top of calls and call-outs.

‘We generally have a solid few days where turtles will be on the move and we get flooded with calls and admissions,’ he said.

‘After that peak, we admit two or three a week until early December, when breeding season slows down.’

Mr Huxley said the public could help considerably by bringing sick or injured animals into the centre, rather than just making the call.

‘It means we can spend more time looking after really sick animals and not running around on the streets trying to find animals,’ he said.

‘It happens all too often that these animals just don’t get any help because wildlife centres are too busy to come out.’