Tides devastate turtle nests

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Ex-Tropical Cyclone Olga whips up king tide

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WILD wind and king tides have claimed thousands of loggerhead turtle eggs at Mon Repos Conservation Park.

Ranger in charge Cathy Gatley said crews relocated as many nests as possible in the past two days but about 50 clutches — some 6000 eggs — were lost.

“The impacts on the turtle nests would have been much greater if it wasn’t for our management practice of relocating nests throughout the nesting season,” Mrs Gatley said.

She said everyone was taking the loss in their stride.

“It is always sad to see beach erosion but it is a case of working with nature and the turtle season being in summer at the same time as cyclone season,” she said.

Workers were able to relocate about 50 nests to higher ground at Mon Repos, while clutches at Kelly’s Beach, Oaks Beach and Moore Park Beach were also rescued.

Mrs Gatley said the bumper turtle season — with about 2000 nests — meant the loss was not as devastating as it could have been.

The wild weather also put a halt to the Mon Repos turtle tours for a second evening in a row.

The impact of wind, high tides and heavy rain were felt right across the region.

More than 15 people were trapped by rising floodwaters on Fingerboard Road near Miriam Vale. And part of the Moore Park Beach surf club collapsed into the ocean.