Conservation of the Western

Swamp Tortoise

Janet Durrant, Semester 2, 2013

Western Swamp Tortoise –

The Problem

1. What are the key biological attributes of the

Western Swamp Tortoise and where is the species

found?

2. What factors have led to the Western Swamp

Tortoise becoming an endangered species?

3. What conservation efforts have been made to

improve the endangered species status of the

Western Swamp Tortoise and which

groups/organisations have been and

continue to be, involved?

Inquiry Questions

FindingsAttributes:

1.Semi-aquatic freshwater,

short necked tortoise

2.Webbed feet

3.Varied shell colours including cream and brown

4.Maximum shell size 155mm adult males and 135mm

adult females

5.Wild populations exist only in the Swan Valley in a

small number of protected nature reserves

Findings Cont…

Contributing factors to endangered status

Human activity – land development

Age to maturity

Climate change

Bush fires

Predators

Findings cont…

Conservation efforts

Western Swamp Tortoise Recovery Plan

Key conservation efforts within the plan include;

The existence and management and protection of the

Nature Reserves where tortoise populations occur in the

wild,

A successful captive breeding program at Perth Zoo

The existence of captive “insurance populations” at

both Perth and Adelaide Zoos

Public education and awareness programs

Western Swamp Tortoise Recovery Plan

Developed by key organisations committed to

ensuring the continuity of the species

Realistic Goals and Outcomes

Conclusions

Implications & call to action Further and ongoing commitment required

Recovery Plan should ensure this, however a focus

must be kept on education and awareness

Personal interest to explore further

Australian Curriculum - Science

Cross-curriculum Priorities

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories

and cultures

Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia,

and

Sustainability

SustainabilityCode Organising ideas

Systems

OI.1 The biosphere is a dynamic system providing conditions that sustain life on Earth.

OI.2All life forms, including human life, are connected through ecosystems on which they depend for their wellbeing

and survival.

OI.3 Sustainable patterns of living rely on the interdependence of healthy social, economic and ecological systems.

World Views

OI.4World views that recognise the dependence of living things on healthy ecosystems, and value diversity and

social justice are essential for achieving sustainability.

OI.5World views are formed by experiences at personal, local, national and global levels, and are linked to

individual and community actions for sustainability.

Futures

OI.6The sustainability of ecological, social and economic systems is achieved through informed individual and

community action that values local and global equity and fairness across generations into the future.

OI.7Actions for a more sustainable future reflect values of care, respect and responsibility, and require us to explore

and understand environments.

OI.8

Designing action for sustainability requires an evaluation of past practices, the assessment of scientific and

technological developments, and balanced judgments based on projected future economic, social and

environmental impacts.

OI.9Sustainable futures result from actions designed to preserve and/or restore the quality and uniqueness of

environments.

Australian Curriculum - Geography

Knowledge about the Inquiry process

Stars and Wishes…

An insight into and the beginnings of an

understanding of the Australian Curriculum

Framework

Use of Web 2.0 tools and technology

The end…or the

beginning?