Wildlife

Protecting our local fauna

Injured wildlife

Have you come across sick or injured wildlife?

Save these numbers:

Wildcare Helpline 9474 9055 (office hours 8am-5pm)
WA Wildlife 9417 7105 (8.30am-7pm Mon-Sun)

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) manages the Wildcare Helpline and has its own rangers who are trained and equipped to deal specifically with wildlife.

The City's rangers are not trained, equipped or empowered by legislation to deal with wildlife – they’re more at home around cats and dogs. Our rangers are available seven days a week from 7am - 6.30pm in winter and 7am - 7pm during the rest of the year to assist you with any matters requiring ranger attendance and/or investigation, and can be contacted on 9528 0333.

Little penguins

Since 2012, the City of Rockingham has been contributing funding towards annual studies, undertaken by Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia, which aim to estimate the population of the little penguin (eudyptula minor) colony at Penguin Island. While the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) is responsible for the management of the little penguins and the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, the City contributes financially and provides advice through an established working group. The working group comprises representatives from the City, DBCA, as well as two experts from Murdoch University and the University of WA, who oversee the annual monitoring and reporting.

The most recent population estimate study was conducted between September to November 2023. The Population Estimate of the Little Penguin Colony on Penguin Island During September to November 2023 is available to download below.

The City will continue to advocate for the conservation of the colony of little penguins through ongoing collaboration through the working group. We strongly encourage the community when visiting the island or the surrounding Shoalwater Islands Marine Park to help protect our environment and the little penguins.

Please keep in mind when visiting:

Hot weather closures are in place. The island is closed when the forecast maximum temperature for Penguin Island is 35 degrees or higher, between 1 December to 28 February.
June to October annual winter seasonal closures apply.
Leave no litter behind. Litter poses a significant risk to our fauna including the little penguins who have died due to rubbish washed up along the beach.
Stick to the speed limits. An 8-knot speed restrictions is in place for all vessels in designated sensitive areas, helping to protect marine animals from boat strikes.
Know your zones. Although fishing is popular in Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, restrictions apply accordingly to different zones within the park.

You can find more information by reading the DBCA Visitor Guide for Shoalwater Islands Marine Park.

Southwestern snake-necked turtle

Many of the City’s wetlands are home to populations of the southwestern snake-necked turtle which are under threat from a combination of predators, such as foxes and ravens, vehicle strikes on our roads and a lack of suitable nesting habitat. The City is involved in research and conservation efforts to better understand the turtles and how we can protect them. Please see Turtle Conservation tab below to find out how you can get involved.

Scientific name: Chelodina oblonga

Common name: Southwestestern Snake-necked turtle

Whadjuk Nyoongar name: Yaakan and Booyi, which translate to long-necked turtle. The turtle is culturally significant to Whadjuk Nyoongar people, forming a staple part of their diet.

Physical appearance and features

distinctive oblong shaped shell, dark brown to black in colour
pale yellow underside
olive grey skin with dark mottling
streamlined head with a long neck that can grow up to 20 cm in length, and
webbed feet with four claws
the shell length is usually up to 30 cm and the total length can be up to 50 cm

Behaviour

The southwestern snake-necked turtle is commonly found in waterways throughout the Perth metropolitan area and the south west. In the City of Rockingham you can find these turtles in most of our wetlands.

Adults are underwater apex predators, generalist feeders, and opportunistic carnivores. Their diet changes seasonally and consists of a broad range of macro-invertebrates, carrion, frogs and fish. Hatchlings also eat aquatic plants as well as midge and mosquito larvae.

Nesting season is in spring and summer, peaking September to November. Females leave the water to lay their eggs on land in nearby sand or soil. Hatchlings start to break out of their eggshells to migrate to the water between March and August depending on weather conditions.

Threats

Threats including habitat modification and destruction, predation and vehicle interactions are placing urban populations of the species under threat.

Turtles have a high mortality rate due to predation by birds, dogs, cats and foxes. See our Guide to Keeping Animals in the City of Rockingham for more information on responsible pet ownership.

Illegal fishing using marron traps in the City’s waterways also poses a risk to the turtles who can become entangled in the nets.

Saving Our Snake-necked Turtle Project (SOSNT)

SOSNT is a citizen science-driven conservation project that aims to upskill the community in turtle monitoring and protection to ensure the southwestern snake-necked turtle flourishes into the future. In 2023, turtle trackers protected a total of 17 nests and observed 71 turtles at Hawker Lake and Lagoon Lake, Secret Harbour.

Want to get involved?

Download the TurtleSAT app on your mobile phone and keep your eyes open for turtle activity during your everyday life; particularly during rain events, and log any observations to TurtleSAT.

Use TurtleSAT to record sightings of:
- Snake-necked turtles (adult, juvenile and hatchlings)
- Dead or injured turtle nests (either freshly laid or destroyed)
- All of your turtle-related observations help to build a clearer picture of this mysterious species.
Become a trained ‘Turtle Tracker’

To take your citizen science to the next level, become an official Turtle Tracke’. As a Turtle Tracker you will be part of a trained and dedicated team that monitors a selected wetland for turtle activity during the nesting season and protects females and their nests during this vulnerable life-stage.

Visit our What’s On Calendar or environmental events and groups to find out when the next round of turtle trackers will be happening at a wetland near you.

Magpies

Magpie nesting season occurs between August and October each year. During this time magpies can swoop to protect their young from perceived threats. This is normal protective behaviour and magpies often target runners or bike riders as these activities appear threatening to them. They will typically respond to perceived threats by flying low and fast overhead and clacking their beaks as they pass. Some birds may even make contact. These occurrences are rare, but have the potential to cause injury.

Although magpies can sometimes cause fear, their behaviour is instinctive and intended to protect their offspring and provide them the best chance of survival. We investigate reports of swooping magpies to assess the bird’s behaviour on site. However, the magpie is a native species protected under the Western Australian Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, and any actions required are determined on an individual basis.

To help reduce the risk of being swooped during the short breeding season we recommend:

Avoiding the area if possible or take an alternate route for the weeks that the birds are nesting. Magpies typically defend a 100m radius around their nests.
Do not act aggressively towards a magpie. Trying to hit or throw things at them will make the situation worse. Magpies have good memories and will swoop someone who has threatened them in the past.
Dismount bikes and walk through the area. Fast moving bikes appear threatening to a nesting magpie.
Do not stop if you are swooped upon. You are still in the magpie’s territory so they will continue to swoop until you are clear of the area.
Wear a hat and sunglasses, or carry an umbrella for head and eye protection.

Snakes

Snakes become active every year around the beginning of September as the weather warms up. Snakes will keep to themselves unless they feel threatened. Here are some top tips to avoid a potential snake encounter:

Clean up around your property, getting rid of long dry grass, wood piles, building waste and household rubbish.
Always walk your dog on a lead and keep to paths, trails and walkways.
Wear enclosed shoes or boots and carry a torch if walking in bush at night as snakes are more active during this time.

Snake first aid

Remain calm.
Immobilise the limb.
Apply a firm broad compression bandage starting over the bite mark.
Call 000 immediately.

Snake Bite First Aid

Seen a snake?

You do not need to report all snake sightings to the City. It's best to avoid the snake altogether and give them a chance to get away.

However, If you see a snake in one of the City's playgrounds, public toilet areas etc., please call us on 9528 0333 so we can organise a snake catcher to attend.

If there is a snake on a private property, it is the owner's responsibility to make arrangements with a suitable snake catcher. The following list of snake catchers may be able to assist you. Please note that the City does not recommend a particular contractor. It is your responsibility to ensure you are satisfied with the terms and service.

Name	Location	Phone Number
Paul	Secret Harbour	0439 941 004
Joe	Byford	0411 657 474
Lani	Safety Bay	0433 590 721

Owl-friendly rodent control

Got a rat or mouse problem? Think twice before you reach for the rat poison - you could be putting our native animals at risk.

Many birds, as well as other fauna, are at risk from poison commonly used as rodenticide. They can ether ingest the baits themselves, or eat the poisoned rats and mice.

Second-generation anti-coagulant rodenticides (SGARs) represent the bulk of products available to manage rodent issues for homes, businesses and agriculture. Many people are not aware of the danger they pose to our wildlife and pets, even when used according to the instructions.

Who do SGARs affect?

All marsupials and birds attracted to the grain-based baits
All diurnal and nocturnal marsupials
Birds that feed on dead and dying animals that have accessed the bait
Example species are Whistling kite, Brown goshawk, Australian hobby, Little eagle, Osprey, Nankeen kestrel or Swamp harrier, the Southern Boobook Owl.

How do SGARs affect our wildlife?

Access to poisoned bait (such as rodents) leads to debilitation of wildlife, resulting in death through secondary poisoning.
The ‘one-dose-kills’ poisons take months to metabolise in baited animals and in animals that ingest the poison through secondary pathways.
Animals that eat these ‘one-dose-kills’ baits still take days to die, in which time they can eat multiple doses.

How can you help?

Click on the resources below to access comprehensive guidelines by Birdlife WA on how to move away from SGARs.

For more information, please visit Birdlife WA.

Native fish conservation

How you can help

Protect the environment by not releasing aquarium fish, such as koi and carp, into our sensitive waterways such as Lake Richmond. Non-native aquarium fish are often more aggressive and can out-compete our native species by consuming their food and taking up their space. The impacts can be devastating on our native species and aquatic environment. Once established, pests can be very difficult if not impossible to eradicate.

The Department of Parks and Wildlife has developed a Don't Dump that Fish! program, aimed at helping manage the risk of ornamental fish becoming pests in Western Australia’s oceans and waterways with the help of fish owners and the ornamental fish industry.

What to do when you do no longer want your aquarium fish?

Give your fish to a nearby aquarium, a friendly organisation or someone else willing to take them. For example, the Koi Society of WA has an unwanted koi service. Social media is also a good place to share free giveaway items.
Dispose of your sick or diseased fish humanely. Visit the RSPCA website for advice on how to humanely euthanise fish.
When sighting someone disposing of their aquarium fish in our waterways, please report it to FishWatch on 1800 815 507.

Wildlife