Bellinger turtle snaps up funding

Minister for the Environment, the Hon Sussan Ley MP

Member for Cowper, Pat Conaghan MP

They are perhaps one of the nation’s unluckiest species, but an investment of more than $1.5 million ($750,000 habitat and $801k captive breeding) from the Morrison is providing much needed help of the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle.

The Bellinger River Snapping Turtle, named after the only stretch of river in which it is found, suffered a mass mortality event in 2015 when a mysterious illness went through the population reducing the species’ number from approximately 4000 to 300 in just under two months.

The tiny turtle, which is also known as the George’s Snapping Turtle, then suffered another terrible blow from drought and then had the Black Summer bushfires rip through its habitat.

Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley today travelled to the Bellinger River near Coffs Harbour on the mid north coast of New South Wales, to participate in health checks of the turtles in the wild and met with the many partners helping the turtle to recover.

“There is a great collaborative effort underway between the Australian Government, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s Saving Our Species program, North Coast Local Land Services, Taronga Zoo, Symbio Wildlife Park, Landcare, scientists and community organisations to save the turtle,” Minister Ley said.

“Through the Morrison Government’s $200 million Bushfire Recovery for Wildlife and Habitat investment, North Coast Local Land Services has received $750,000 to support bushfire recovery projects which include leading the restoration efforts for the Bellinger River.

“At the same time we have invested more than $800,000 in two captive breeding programs, one with Symbio Wildlife Park and expanding another at Taronga Zoo, that will see more of the Bellinger River Turtles released back into their native environment.

“Turtles play a vital role in maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems in rivers by consuming dead and decaying matter and helping to recycle nutrients.

“This particular turtle has had a horrible time of things and deserves the attention it is receiving.

“Importantly the weed and erosion control in fire-affected rivers and waterways is crucial not only for the turtle but will help a range of species including local platypus populations.”

Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan MP said that the Morrison Government Funding was helping the North Coast Local Land Services ensure the upper reaches of the river see a coordinated recovery effort that protects and restores habitat for the turtle, while also benefiting the local Platypus population and other native species.

“The North Coast Land Services and local community members do an amazing job,” Mr Cohaghan said.

“They are people who are out there, getting their hands dirty to make a difference in what is one of the country’s most important natural environments.

“Improving the health of the Bellinger River is a critical way of boosting wild numbers of species, such the Snapping Turtle, so that they can prosper in their natural habitats and supports the survival of captively bred turtles, when released into the wild.

“The Morrison Government is getting behind the community to support them in their efforts.”

/Public Release. View in full here.