Invader identified! The identity of a turtle spotted on July 17th (2009) on the banks of the River Dodder in Dublin has been identified as Yellow-bellied Slider (Trachemys scripta scripta). Negative impacts of Sliders on native habitats and ecosystems are still unknown but this is due to them usually being released into urban ponds and parks where the ecological value is quite low. However there is concern that if these species become established into an area of ecological value such as the River Dodder, they may impact on native invertebrate species, amphibians and nesting birds.
This species has since been sighted in Counties Sligo, Clare and Dublin.
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- View NOBANIS information sheet
Please report any sighting of these species or those on the Priority species list