On World Turtle Day, scientists have unveiled a new app that could enable smartphone users to help save Australia's dwindling turtle population.
TurtleSAT – Turtle Survey and Analysis Tools - is a free app designed to track turtle activity.
By dropping a pin on a map when they spot a turtle, smartphone users can contribute data to what scientists say will be Australia's biggest study of freshwater turtles.
University of Western Sydney zoologist Ricky Spencer speaks with Ella Archibald-Binge.
One of the app's creators, University of Western Sydney zoologist Ricky Spencer, hopes the app will be widely used.
"If we have thousands of people using it, we can really get an idea of hotspots," he said.
"We can get a real picture across Australia of where turtles are being killed on roads or by foxes, and we can start managing them correctly."
Dr Spencer said the app could help protect Australia's turtle population.
"There is a turtle crisis happening at the moment, with declines of over 90 per cent in parts of the Murray River," he said.
"Turtles play an essential role in the ecosystem."
"They help maintain water health for plants and other animals by 'vacuuming up' algae and dead material and eating young pest fish, such as European carp."
TurtleSAT can be downloaded for smart phones and tablets. Those without smartphones can also contribute to the study by logging turtle sightings at TurtleSAT.org.au.
