Floating pond homes help keep turtles and swans afloat

A lucky lot of turtles and swans have received new floating homes hoped to keep the water-dwelling animals safe from predators.

The pontoons were floated in ponds inside Botany’s Sir Joseph Banks Park south of Sydney on Friday.

Construction began on the novel nesting grounds after NSW Ports gave authorities a $20,000 community grant in 2022.

«The islands, anchored in the middle of the ponds, are vegetated floating structures made of plastic tubing with aquatic plants, hollow logs and branches that will increase the chances of survival for both species, while the plants will grow by absorbing nutrients in the water,» NSW Ports said.

Volunteers from the Fix it Sisters Shed, an organisation based in southern Sydney that aims to empower women with practical skills, built the structures in consultation with Bayside Council, WIRES and Western Sydney University.

The charity previously created burrows and nests for penguins and stormy petrels.

Chief Sister Linda Prince said the group had learned many new skills while building the floating islands.

«I’m confident these new skills will benefit our next wildlife project,» she said.

Bayside Mayor Christina Curry said it was exciting to see the council partner with community groups for Webcam Sex the innovative conservation initiative.

«Students from Western Sydney University will also provide valuable research for this project that will help improve the biodiversity and natural habitat in Sir Joseph Banks Park,» Dr Curry said.