It’s something that most people wouldn’t even think of, but whenever Shane Davies sees the start of a new development he worries about the turtles.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
There are hundreds of turtles in dams in remnant rural pockets across western Sydney but as developers move in to build new houses, the dams are drained and filled in, leaving the little reptiles to die, trapped under tonnes of earth.
Some manage to escape and look for alternative water, but risk being killed crossing roads or by foxes.
So, Mr Davies and his team of volunteers jump into action, wading into often waist-deep mud to rescue the turtles.
Mr Davies, who runs his Turtle Town business from his home in Valley Heights, has always loved turtles. His mother had a couple as pets when he was a child and the connection was made.
He took over the Turtle Town business about three years ago, when the owner retired. He now breeds and sells turtles as well as taking in unwanted ones.
And the rescue side of the business is ever-growing.
“In western Sydney, from Appin to Windsor, there are hundreds of dams, all being filled in with the turtles still in them. I’m not saying they’re doing it on purpose – they just don’t know,” Mr Davies said.
“Sometimes I find out through concerned residents or I’ve approached the civil contractors myself.”
After the turtles have been rescued, he releases them within a 20-kilometre radius, as recommended by authorities. “And that’s getting hard as well because a lot of the creeks are polluted.”
Ideally, he’d like to see councils building new large ponds to accommodate turtles.
Mr Davies also takes in turtles found by the road, through the RSCPA and Wires. Last year he had a hand in rescuing, relocating or accepting ore than 270 turtles.
He has an extensive breeding set-up and sells baby turtles for $100 each, which helps fund the rescues and pay for food, electricity bills (for heated tanks) and the odd vet consultation.
Turtles can live for at least 50 years, he said. They make great pets, needing just a tank with somewhere they can climb out to lay their eggs, food and a regular tank clean-out.
“They’re harmless and they can be very interactive with you,” he said, demonstrating one turtle following his finger along the side of a tank.
“They’ve got their own personalities – they certainly know the hand that feeds them.”
To join the turtle volunteers or to alert Mr Davies about a site where a rescue may be needed, or to buy a turtle, call 0404 463 446, the website www.turtletownsydney.com or Turtle Town Sydney on Facebook.
