The Parks and Wildlife Commission of the NT (PWCNT) is urging the public not to release animals into the wild without authority to do so.

PWCNT wildlife ranger Sherie Hunt said releasing animals into parts of the Northern Territory, including those native to Australia, could threaten local wildlife.

“We pride ourselves on the fact that much of the Northern Territory’s environment remains pristine and we want to keep it that way,” Ms Hunt said.

“That’s why it’s illegal to release animals into the wild without authority to do so, because what might be released could pose a serious environmental threat to the local ecology.

“This threat may be a result of predation and competition with native animals, or because they may spread diseases and parasites.”

The latest reminder to the public comes as South Australian turtle farmer David Griffiths is visiting the Northern Territory, where he will spend the next few days removing turtles from the Alice Springs Golf Club, before taking them back to his Riverland farm east of Adelaide.

“The water hazard along the 10th hole of the Alice Springs Golf Club course has become home to many turtles, unfortunately, and it’s because of their threat to the native wildlife that we’re having them removed,” Ms Hunt said.

“The Macquarie turtles (Emydura macquarii) are found in the Murray-Darling River System and associated drainages west of the Great Dividing Range in south-eastern Australia and coastal rivers of mid-eastern Australia from the Hawkesbury River, NSW, to mid-eastern Queensland.

“Turtles are not native to Central Australia and all turtle species not native to the Territory, including Red-Eared Slider Turtles, must not be released into any part of the Territory and anyone caught doing so could face a $1000 fine.

“Under the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act a person must have authorisation to bring animals classified as prohibited entrants into the Territory and/or keep them here, and they must definitely not take prohibited entrants into our parks and reserves unless authorised.

“Anyone who no longer wishes to keep their turtles should give it to another person to keep or surrender it to the Parks and Wildlife Commission, or take it to Alice Springs pet shop Pets “R” Us, who will then relocate the turtles to the turtle farm at Riverland.

“Anyone considering importing wildlife (exotic or native) into the Northern Territory should contact the PWCNT permits office on 89994795 or 89994814.”

Ms Hunt said permits are required to keep all turtle species in the Northern Territory, except the Northern Long Necked Turtle (Chelodina rugosa) which is native to the NT.

Ends

Media note – For further information/interviews please contact Sherie Hunt on
0401115731.

Issued: 3.30pm Friday, 16 January 2015.