Western swamp turtle  (Pseudemydura umbrina)

This turtle has always had a restricted distribution; the species depends on marginal habitat and has low reproductive potential (4). Today however, the western swamp turtle is Critically Endangered and the population at Twin Swamps became extinct in 1985 (4). The swamps of this turtles' habitat have been drained and filled in for agricultural purposes, greatly reducing the available range (5). In addition, the population at Twin Swamps in particular, suffered from predation by the introduced red fox (Vulpes vulpes); aestivating individuals protected only by leaf litter are especially vulnerable (5).

The two remaining swamps containing this species were made into nature reserves in 1962, and a captive breeding programme at Perth Zoo has been running since 1988 (5). The captive population has been used to re-establish a viable population of western swamp turtles within the Twin Swamps Reserve (4). A fox-proof fence has been constructed around remaining swamps to provide further protection (4). The Western Swamp Turtle Recovery Plan has been running since 1992, it aims to at least double the population of this rare turtle in 10 years, and to establish a captive population of at least 50 individuals (4).