Exotic Pest Case Study: Red-eared Slider TurtlE
On Sunday, 07 November 2021, Agriculture Victoria received a report from a member of the public that a Red-eared Slider Turtle (REST) was spotted in Lake Caroline, near Garretty Road in Caroline Springs, the day before.
Lake Caroline is a public area and includes walking tracks, a residential area, the Mercure Hotel, a playground, and Caroline Springs Shopping Centre.
Wildlife is known to Lake Caroline with a few basking sites and a natural harbour for native turtles.
After investigating the area, Agriculture Victoria captured the female REST and it was removed by Biosecurity Officers on Thursday, 11th November 2021.
It’s likely the turtle was kept in captivity as part of the illegal pet trade and was deliberately released in the wild.
Why is the Red-eared Slider Turtle illegal in Australia?
The Red-eared Slider Turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) is a Prohibited pest animal in Victoria and is considered to pose a significant threat to environment and native wildlife.
The REST was introduced to Victoria via the illegal wildlife trade and pet trade.
The REST can carry new exotic diseases which can be transferred to humans and native species leading to population declines of native reptiles and amphibians in the wild.
It is an aggressive pest animal that can completely dominate its environment and displace Australian native turtles like the eastern long neck turtle.
Females can lay up to 3 clutches of eggs (approximately 75 eggs) per season. REST turtles breed quickly which helps them to overtake other habitats.
If you have any information about the illegal trade of species like Red-eared Slider Turtles or any other exotic animals, please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report here.
REST are declared as a Controlled Pest animal under Catchment and Land Protection (CaLP) Act 1994 and it is the responsibility of Agriculture Victoria to control these animals on all land in Victoria.
