Almost 100 southwestern snake-necked turtles have been found dead in Lake Bibra in a devastating blow to the species’ native population.
Experts believe the vulnerable animals fell prey to foxes after Perth’s long, hot summer.
Turtle search volunteer Joyce Gadalon said finding the dead turtles was “devastating”.
“I’m literally in tears talking about it right now,” she said.
Activists have urged local councils to do more to protect the turtles.
“There is a huge gap in this program right now and it is failing our turtles. We would also like to see a turtle conservation plan implemented,” Gadalon said.
“I can assure you that climate change is not going anywhere; the foxes aren’t going anywhere. We will still have a dry lakebed next year.”
The City of Cockburn is extending its fox trapping season but says a multi-level approach is needed.
“Turtle conservation for us looks like community education, land restoration, citizen science research, looking at population surveys,” said Vicky Harthill of Cockburn Council.
Murdoch University researchers are investigating the mass die-off of turtles and exploring measures to prevent the loss of more.
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Murdoch researcher Dr Anthony Santoro said the mass die-off was likely “not to be an isolated event”.
“There are dry lakes all over Perth and there are foxes everywhere,” he said.
“It also highlights the very real need to think about water in the future and how we manage that in terms of human needs and environmental needs.”
Despite recent rainfall, water levels remain insufficient to revive Lake Bibra.
The council is considering using rainwater reserves to fill the lake.
