On Saturday July 31 2010, 15 captive-bred Western Swamp Tortoises were released at a site in Moore River National Park, north of Perth. In attendance was a group of 38 adults and 12 children, comprising members of the Friends group, staff from Perth Zoo, Department of Environment and Conservation, IGA supermarkets (a major Zoo sponsor) and University of WA postgraduates studying the tortoise, supervised by principal scientist Gerald Kuchling, along with Jacqui Maguire and Craig Olejnik from DEC. This was the second release in the area, with 30 animals translocated to the site last year.

The release site was accessible only by 4WD and by further walking for 10 minutes through an area of occasionally thick vegetation and—at the swamp’s edge—glutinous, clayey mud. The kids in the group loved the latter!

Originally 30 tortoises were to be released but due to lower than expected water levels, half were held back. If more rain falls the remainder will be released in a couple of weeks. Changing rainfall patterns are one of the main challenges facing these tortoises, Gerald explained.

The latest group of tortoises were all fitted with radio-transmitting devices—which made them slightly resemble remote-controlled model cars! However, the animals seemed untroubled by the small antennas glued on their shells and seemed focussed on getting into the water as quickly as possible. They will be monitored over the next few months to ensure they are all surviving and thriving before the summer aestivation period begins. It is hoped that along with the previous year’s animals these tortoises will form a new and stable population in an area distinct from the existing ones at Ellen Brook, Twin Swamps and Mogumber.