Welding training equips rangers for turtle nesting season

Kowanyama Land and Sea Rangers have completed an intensive course equipping them to build turtle nest protection cages.

Rangers Cassandra Bernard, Shernel Banjo, Anzac Frank and Larry Matthew took part in the training, delivered by Civil Safety, gaining hands-on experience in welding, cutting and fabrication.

The cages play an important role in protecting turtle eggs from predation by feral pigs, one of the major threats to nesting turtles on Cape York Peninsula beaches. By installing protection cages over nests, rangers can significantly improve hatchling survival rates and support the long-term health of local turtle populations.

Civil Safety trainer Rudi Schincariol worked closely with the group throughout the course, helping rangers develop practical, job-ready skills while strengthening their capacity to take greater ownership of conservation infrastructure on Country.

“I have never welded before, and it was good to learn a new skill. I enjoyed the training, Rudi was a really good trainer,” said Ranger Anzac Frank.

Beyond turtle nest protection, the new skills will also support future work such as maintaining ranger infrastructure, fencing and equipment repairs.

With turtle nesting season approaching, the rangers are now ready to put their training into action, helping ensure more hatchlings make a safe journey from nest to sea.

The Western Cape Turtle Threat Abatement Alliance (WCTTAA) is a partnership of Indigenous land and sea owners and managers from Apudthama Land Trust and the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council, Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council, Mapoon, Pormpuraaw, Aak Puul Ngantam Cape York and Kowanyama.

WCTTAA is supported by Cape York NRM through funding from the Australian and Queensland Governments' Nest to Ocean Turtle Protection Program, and Rio Tinto's Western Cape Community Development Fund.

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