A rehabilitated juvenile flatback turtle called Mussels will be released into the wild today and tracked by the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) using satellite technology. The turtle is being flown to Broome for release into the ocean at Cable Beach after undergoing extensive rehabilitation at AQWA - the Aquarium of Western Australia since it was found in poor condition near Fremantle as a post-hatchling. DPaW marine science program principal scientist Scott Whiting said Broome was selected as a release location because it had known habitat for flatback turtles. “This turtle is extra special because it is one of only a few flatback turtles rehabilitated in Western Australia and satellite technology is being used to follow its movements,” Dr Whiting said. “A transmitter…

A new multi-purpose field study centre for scientists working on significant environmental research projects in the Great Western Woodlands was officially opened today in the Goldfields. The $220,000 research centre, part of the Australian Supersite Network, is located at the Credo former pastoral station and has been established by a partnership between the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW), the CSIRO and the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN), with support from the Goldfields Environmental Management Group. The centre was jointly funded by DPaW ($100,000), the Great Western Woodlands ($60,000), the CSIRO ($30,000) and the Goldfields Environmental Management Group ($30,000).  DPaW Parks and Visitors Services regional leader Nigel Wessels said the facility would be used by scientists involved in research projects aimed at providing a better…