Plan to control invasive species of turtles awarded funding
Hundreds of turtles have been dumped into Ireland's waterways over the past 20 years, after people who buy them for cuteness often later abandon them due to their size and care requirements.
This is according to Senior Science Officer at the Herpetological Society of Ireland Rob Gandola, and comes as a plan to control invasive North American freshwater turtles has been awarded funding via the Local Biodiversity Action Fund.
Several local authorities will now develop turtle control protocols and best practice guidelines for a particular species of freshwater turtle known as the pond slider (Trachemys).
Pond sliders are considered to be highly invasive and hence are included on the EU list of Invasive Alien Species of Union Concern.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Gandola said even though a ban on the import of this genus of turtles has been in effect since 1997, they are still widely traded as babies when it is hard to differentiate them from non-banned, closely related species.
"So we end up with the current situation of people buying for 'cuteness' and then abandoning due to large size, and advanced care requirements," Mr Gandola said.
Over the past 20 years, Mr Gandola says that "literally hundreds" of individual turtles have been dumped in Ireland and released into waterways.
"There have been no studies to date on the ecology of these non-native turtles in Ireland.
"So, we have no idea about the impacts they may or may not be having on native species, but the EU says that we as a country are required by law to control them," he added.
Mr Gandola said that right now the law requires people who find a pond slider and wish to keep it to get a permit, but no permitting system exists.
"As far as we know, and it is unlikely under current climate conditions, Trachemys cannot successfully breed and recruit in Ireland.
"So, all these animals are former pets who have enjoyed consistent feeding until they are abandoned," he added.
All sightings of pond sliders in Ireland should be reported to the National Biodiversity Data Centre.
Around 262 community projects and local authorities were awarded funding via the Local Biodiversity Action Fund yesterday.
In total, €2.9 million was awarded in funding for local biodiversity projects across the country.
Some of the other projects funded include a 'Hare's Corner' project with the aim of creating new habitats to benefit biodiversity.
Five local authorities will undertake 'Return to Nature' projects, in support of the Catholic Church's target to return 30% of church grounds to nature by the end of the decade.
Six local authorities will undergo workshops to support policies to reduce light pollution.
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