Bellinger River snapping turtle
The Bellinger River snapping turtle (Myuchelys georgesi) is a focus species in the North Coast region.
This project assists in the recovery and resilience of this critically endangered species and surrounding threatened ecological communities (TECs). It includes the Lowland Rainforest of Subtropical Australia, which is a nationally listed critically endangered rainforest community now only found in fragmented patches of New South Wales and Queensland. The rainforest provides essential habitat for many native species, including threatened wildlife.
Activities to support the preservation of the Bellinger River snapping turtle in the wild and the recovery of this TEC include:
- addressing key information gaps and threats targeted under the current Bellinger River snapping turtle recovery effort, including a turtle surveillance program
- continued support of the Bellinger River Health Program through biannual water quality and macro-invertebrate surveys to monitor potential threats and support community engagement in protecting turtle habitat
- on-ground habitat restoration works
- capacity-building for landholders to reduce threats to the turtle’s habitat through increasing knowledge and skills in weed management.
We are working with the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (NSW DCCEEW) Biodiversity and Conservation Science north-east NSW division, NSW DCCEEW’s Estuaries and Catchments division, Bellinger Landcare, First Nations communities and private landholders to deliver this work.
This project is funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust.
More details about the project will be coming soon. To find out the latest news and advice for your region, subscribe to one of our newsletters.
