Optimizing road underpass design to maximize use by a freshwater turtle (<scp><i>Chelodina oblonga</i></scp>)

Roads affect the connectivity of habitat and inhibit movements animals as a result road avoidance road-related mortalities. Freshwater turtles are particularly vulnerable to mortality on roads, females must often cross them when they leave aquatic environment nest. Ecopassages designed enable safe movement across roads by wild may be an effective measure reduce adverse impacts. Limited information exists, however, design criteria for freshwater turtles. A willingness-to-utilize study was used assess factors that influence use tunnel underpass southwestern snake-necked turtle (Chelodina oblonga), species whose populations declining, in part, through mortalities nesting females. Female C. oblonga were sourced from urban wetland placed enclosure with exits varying lengths (12 25 m) lighting treatments (‘light’ ‘dark’) conditions would promote successful passage. Generalized linear modelling showed light had significantly increased likelihood faster passage both 12 m tunnels than dark treatments. Tunnel length no effect either success or rate This provides first account optimize mortality, contributing conservation management more generally.