Once Bitten, Twice Shy: A Smarter Way to Protect Australia's Freshwater Turtles

Protecting wildlife doesn’t stop at rescue. It also means investing in innovative solutions that prevent harm before it happens.

WIRES is proud to support the freshwater turtle conservation project “Once Bitten, Twice Shy” through our National Grants Program (NGP). Led by Dr Pizzatto from La Trobe University, and delivered in partnership with WULN, Turtles Albury Wodonga, and local community groups. The project is already delivering remarkable results across Victoria and will conclude In May.

Why this project matters

Freshwater turtles are under serious threat in the Murray River Basin. Introduced predators, particularly foxes, are devastating turtle populations by targeting their nests.

• Foxes destroy more than 90% of turtle nests in many areas
• Eastern long-neck turtle numbers have declined by nearly 70% in some regions
• Two of the three local turtle species are now listed as threatened

These losses have far-reaching consequences. Freshwater turtles play a critical role in maintaining healthy waterways by recycling nutrients and keeping ecosystems balanced. They also hold deep cultural significance for First Nations communities, connecting people to Country, waterways and long-held ecological knowledge.

Without intervention, local turtle populations face continued decline — and in some areas, potential collapse.

A smart, science-backed solution

Rather than relying solely on physical nest protection, the “Once Bitten, Twice Shy” project is trialing an innovative behavioural approach known as conditioned taste aversion.

In simple terms, foxes are taught to associate turtle eggs with an unpleasant experience. Once they learn this, they actively avoid turtle nests altogether — reducing predation before it happens.

Results that speak for themselves

The early outcomes have been nothing short of impressive:

• Nest predation dropped from 91% to just 10% within two weeks at one trial site
• Predation rates remained low throughout the nesting season in treated areas
• Foxes learned to avoid all turtle eggs, not just those used in the trial

This means fewer destroyed nests, higher hatchling survival, and a real chance for turtle populations to recover over time.

Empowering communities to protect wildlife

A key strength of this project is its strong community involvement. Local volunteers and citizen scientists are now actively monitoring and protecting turtle nests, helping to build long-term conservation capacity within their communities.

By combining scientific innovation with local knowledge and on-ground action, the project is creating lasting change — not just for turtles, but for the people who care for their local environment.

Supporting wildlife beyond rescue

WIRES’ National Grants Program (NGP) was developed to provide ongoing support for wildlife and their habitats across Australia. The program focuses on:

• Best-practice wildlife rescue and rehabilitation
• Increasing emergency preparedness for wildlife
• Supporting native species recovery projects

Together, these initiatives help improve long-term outcomes for Australia’s wildlife and the ecosystems they depend on.

Have a project that could make a difference?

If you’re working on a project aimed at improving outcomes for native wildlife, we’d love to hear from you.

Applications for the 2026 National Grants Program will open soon.

To learn more, visit the WIRES National Grants Program page.