Weather and population boom extends turtle season
Published Thursday, 03 March, 2011 at 09:48 AM
Environment and Resource Management
The Honourable Kate Jones
Mon Repos’ record turtle season is set to last even longer, with the conservation park now expecting to see late hatchings through to the start of April.
Environment and Resource Management Minister Kate Jones said the popular nightly tours run by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers will now run for an extra week, until Sunday April 3, so more people can come to see baby turtles hatching.
“This is great news for both the turtle population and the thousands of visitors that come to Mon Repos to witness the turtles in action each year,” Ms Jones said.
“This summer has seen the largest number of nesting turtles on the Woongarra Coast since tours began in the late 1980s.
“While some nests have been lost due to a combination of king tides and strong winds, hatchings are now expected to continue through to the start of April.
“More than 20,000 people have come to Mon Repos during the season, and with the tours now running for an extra week many more tourist will have the chance to come and take part.”
Ms Jones said the extended turtle season is the result of the cooler sea temperatures due to the La Nina weather system.
“Lower sea temperatures cause the turtles’ metabolisms to slow down so they take longer to prepare their eggs for laying,” she said.
“As a result, each turtle is taking about two days longer than usual to prepare her eggs for laying.
“With each turtle laying four to five clutches of eggs in the season, this means each turtle is spending about an extra week on the beach over the course of the season.
“The incubation period for the eggs is also running one to two weeks longer than normal, with eggs laid in late January expected to hatch from late March, when the season at Mon Repos traditionally ends.
“So the message to visitors is clear – if you come to Mon Repos over the next month chances are you are going to see plenty of turtle action.”
Tours can be booked through Bundaberg Regional Tourism ph 07 4153 8888 or online at www.bookbundabergregion.com.au
MEDIA CONTACT: 3239 0818
Environment and Resource Management Minister Kate Jones said the popular nightly tours run by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers will now run for an extra week, until Sunday April 3, so more people can come to see baby turtles hatching.
“This is great news for both the turtle population and the thousands of visitors that come to Mon Repos to witness the turtles in action each year,” Ms Jones said.
“This summer has seen the largest number of nesting turtles on the Woongarra Coast since tours began in the late 1980s.
“While some nests have been lost due to a combination of king tides and strong winds, hatchings are now expected to continue through to the start of April.
“More than 20,000 people have come to Mon Repos during the season, and with the tours now running for an extra week many more tourist will have the chance to come and take part.”
Ms Jones said the extended turtle season is the result of the cooler sea temperatures due to the La Nina weather system.
“Lower sea temperatures cause the turtles’ metabolisms to slow down so they take longer to prepare their eggs for laying,” she said.
“As a result, each turtle is taking about two days longer than usual to prepare her eggs for laying.
“With each turtle laying four to five clutches of eggs in the season, this means each turtle is spending about an extra week on the beach over the course of the season.
“The incubation period for the eggs is also running one to two weeks longer than normal, with eggs laid in late January expected to hatch from late March, when the season at Mon Repos traditionally ends.
“So the message to visitors is clear – if you come to Mon Repos over the next month chances are you are going to see plenty of turtle action.”
Tours can be booked through Bundaberg Regional Tourism ph 07 4153 8888 or online at www.bookbundabergregion.com.au
MEDIA CONTACT: 3239 0818