Top 100 World's Worst Invasive Alien Species (Classification of World Conservation Union's (IUCN) Invasive Species Specialist Group).
Long living (up to 50 years in captivity), red-eared slider turtles can push out water nesting species from their nests and habitats. From the beginning of September, this prolific pest is
banned from sale and distribution within the Auckland region. Kai pai Auckland council for a great step towards removing these pests from our waterways.
Red-eared slider turtles have are very adaptable to different environments, making them an effective invader. They have a wide ranging diet, including plants, seeds, fruit, frogs, crustaceans, insects, slugs & snails, birds and small reptiles. They can live in most still or slow moving water areas, including salty marshes and tidal river areas and are able to rapidly increase their range by travelling overland. They may seasonally have habitats in areas such as golf courses, farmland and forest.
Auckland councils move to ban their sale will significantly help to reduce the numbers adding to wild populations and Northland regional council have had this same ban in place for some time. Even without the sale and distribution of these turtles, without further control, this species will be able to continue to flourish on its own. That's where the public can help - councils can only act on what information they have - if we all contribute to that knowledge, through observing where pests are and sending in photos via the Find-A-Pest app, those responsible for pest management across the motu can be more effective.
