Busselton-based organisation Caring for Reptiles Southwest Inc is encouraging the public to keep an eye out as turtle hatching season begins.
Caring for Reptiles Southwest Inc president Jess Berry said every year, the group received turtles that had been run over, attacked or had become stuck outside of their environment.
“Some times we get females who haven’t laid their eggs. When they can’t be saved, we extract their eggs to hopefully save their babies and release them into the wild,” she said.
In the next few weeks, 32 baby Western Snake Neck Turtles will be released.
Ms Berry said it was rewarding to see the babies ready to venture into the outside world.
“We have them for a long time, they are incubated for 180 to 220 days, so when hatch it is a big deal,” she said.
“We are absolutely happy for them to go into the wild, this is what we do it for.”
Ms Berry offered advice to anyone who finds a turtle this season.
“If a turtle is out of the water, there is a reason for it,” she said.
“Don’t take them home, don’t put them in a water source, don’t feed them or put them under light. Scoop them up very carefully and bring them to us.”
To report an injured or misplaced reptile, call 0437910054.
