Critically Endangered Turtle Gets A Leg Up!

As World Turtle Day approaches on May 23, Symbio Wildlife Park is celebrating the incredible strides being made in the conservation of one of Australia’s most endangered reptiles – the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle (Myuchelys georgesi).

Once on the brink of extinction following a devastating outbreak of the Bellinger River Virus (BRV) in 2015 that wiped out up to 90% of the wild population in just six weeks, the future of this unique freshwater turtle looked grim. But thanks to a powerful collaboration between government, zoos, conservationists, and local communities, there is now renewed hope for this species in the wild.

Joining the NSW Government’s Saving our Species (SOS) emergency response in 2017, Symbio Wildlife Park became one of only two institutions in Australia entrusted with a captive breeding programme for this critically endangered species. Since then, Symbio has built a dedicated quarantine and breeding facility and currently houses 26 turtles, 7 of which were born into the program. These turtles are key to creating a genetically diverse insurance population.

“World Turtle Day is a moment to not only raise awareness of the threats facing turtles globally but to also celebrate the progress being made right here in our own backyard,” said Jarrad Prangell, Head of Conservation at Symbio Wildlife Park. “The survival of the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle is a team effort, and we’re incredibly proud to be part of it.”

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Together with partners including NSW Government’s Saving our Species program and Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Symbio is contributing to a national recovery plan backed by the Australian Government’s Threatened Species Action Plan, which has invested over $850,000 into protecting this species.

To date, over 170 captive-bred juvenile turtles have been released into the wild under the SOS program, with ongoing monitoring providing essential data on their health, survival, and adaptation to their natural habitat. Each year, Symbio’s expert conservation team joins in field surveys along the Bellinger River, working alongside ecologists, veterinarians, and landholders to support both the species and the river ecosystem.

Celebrating days like World Turtle Day is vital because it reminds us of the urgent need to protect our planet’s most vulnerable species. It’s an opportunity to raise awareness, spark meaningful conversations, and inspire collective action for wildlife conservation. By highlighting the challenges and successes of species like the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle, we not only educate and engage the public but also foster a deeper connection to the natural world!

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