‘Crazy bushman' reveals hidden population in western suburbs

Perth Now

03-07-2025

A crazy bushman is revealing the hidden population in Perth's western suburbs.
The area is regarded as the city's famed and charmed 'golden triangle' — where facial spas are more frequent than petrol stations, income is generational, and long-necked turtles live in backyards.
Well, not literally in backyards. But closer than one may think, according to self-titled 'Crazy Bushman' Ian Barlow.
'When I show people just how many turtles are actually just living in the parks and waterways they've been visiting every week for years, they are definitely surprised to say the least,' he said.
For the past seven years, whenever possible outside his 9-5 workday, Mr Barlow has been photographing Perth's expansive wildlife — keeping a digital scrapbook of some of the city's rarest and at times forgotten species.
'I soon got the name 'the crazy bushman' from my mates because I would just get into the most horrendous and hilarious spots when I'm out bush. And from then on, it just kind of stuck,' he said.
Aside from embracing the brand, Mr Barlow's passion for wildlife has also led him to become one of Perth's leading unofficial experts on the long-necked 'oblong' turtle. Snake Neck Turtles inhabit Bunbury's Big Swamp marshlands. Credit: Anthony Santoro / RegionalHUB
'I started photographing them because no one knew about them. No one was photographing them. And that was such a mysterious creature,' he said.
'Coming from a background in lake management, and seeing so little turtles actually in lakes, I felt the need to raise the awareness about our turtle populations and actually reveal the secret lives that they actually have.'
The turtles can be found at and around waterways throughout Perth, where they breed, nest and live up to 100 years.
Mr Barlow hosts free turtle tours through winter, where he shows small groups of people how and where to spot them, as well as raise awareness about the secretive species.
'It helps raise awareness about how important these species are for our entire ecosystem,' he said.
'Because turtles create magic, and that's what they're really good at doing.'
Characterised by their long necks, oblong turtles or southwestern snake-necked turtles are one of two turtle species native to Perth.
Relatively large in size, an adult oblong shell can grow up to 40cm long and an adult can live up to 80 years or more. 'Crazy bushman' Ian Barlow at Galup. Credit: Harriet Flinn
They are considered vital contributors to wetland and river health, helping regulate populations of smaller aquatic animals and nuisance insects such as mosquitos and midges.
Mr Barlow took PerthNow on a recent evening turtle tour and within a couple minutes of walking around Galup with his flashlight and makeshift GoPro tripod, he had already spotted his first subject swimming in the murky water.
'This one is a boy, he's been here for some time,' he declared.
Moments later, the turtle's little head popped up out of the water, looking like it had a smile on its face.
'It looks so happy to see you, but it's just the way its face is. But you can't help but smile back,' the turtle tracker said.
Despite their cute appearance, Mr Barlow said the swimming creatures remained under threat and faced serious dangers.
'Localised extinction is a very real thing. I have watched it with my very own eyes,' he said.
'The very first lake that I started with was in Hyde Park. I counted 17 turtles that were present, and that was about seven years ago.
It was very heart-warming when people are willing to put themselves on the line to actually make a stand for our little guys.
'Researchers at the time said there were 300. But I was there every day for two years, and I could only find the exact same 17 turtles every day for two years. And that number is now actually down to nine.'
A recent count at Bibra Lake showed more than 430 turtles had died in a 12-month period.
Much of the blame was attributed to foxes but Mr Barlow believes a combination of factors is responsible, including continued development through wetlands.
'When it comes to development near or on wetlands, a lot of people don't actually realise that turtles are actually living there,' he said.
'It takes a very keen eye to actually find turtles and how to look for their signs. Aboriginals have been doing it for tens of thousands of years.
'Their whole existence is about being an ambush predator ... if they feel threatened, they will run away. So you won't even know that they're there unless you know what you're looking for.'
In April, the State Government faced backlash from environmentalists over clearing a small suburban wetland to make way for a road extension between Hertha Road and the Mitchell Freeway.
Locals were backed by Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas, who claimed dozens of long-necked turtles living within the wetland were at risk.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said an independent ecologist who monitored the wetland before the clearing had confirmed 'no sightings and presence of turtles', but Mr Barlow's research found otherwise.
'I counted about six turtles at the Hertha Wetland and sent footage of them to Main Roads,' he told PerthNow.
'But they said my footage that I collected was not adequate. And it all kind of went quiet once they started the works and fenced off the area.'
Although the community failed to put a stop to the development, Mr Barlow said it was good thing more people were paying attention to the plight of Perth turtles.
'There were a lot of communities jumping up and willing to actually make a change for their local wetland,' he said.
'It was very heart-warming when people are willing to put themselves on the line to actually make a stand for our little guys, our saviours of the wetlands. Because they need our help.'
Looking ahead, Mr Barlow said he was excited to embark on his second year of tours and hoped to maintain the momentum around the secret swimmers.
'There's a lot that's actually going on that's just flying under the radar when it comes to our natural environment, and these turtles are just one of them,' he said.
'But once you start looking, you'll actually start to see how beautiful it truly is. And then it just makes you appreciate the entire ecosystem just that little bit more.'