Mary River turtle (Elusor macrurus) Case Study
Home > Biodiversity Nature & People > Conservation Philanthropy > Grants > MBZF Grant 11252632
Continent: Oceania
Country: Australia
Grant Amount: $12,000
Awarded Date: December 28, 2011
Marilyn CONNELL
Tiaro & District Landcare Group Inc
86 Pioneers Rest Road
Tiaro
Queensland
4650
Australia
Tel: 61 (0)741296206
Mob: 61 (0)427293221
River bank/nest protection and monitoring of the Mary River turtle
The natural habitat of the endangered Mary River turtle is restricted to the Mary River in south east Queensland, Australia. Tiaro & District Landcare Group are committed to increasing its chances of survival through conservation actions (protect wild nests from predators) and encouraging people to value and care for its habitat, the Mary River.
1. Conservation actions
Our goal is to increase the survival chances of this endangered freshwater river turtle. Nesting banks are fenced to reduce trampling of wild laid clutches from grazing cattle and reduce wild dog and fox access to turtle eggs.
During the nesting season, Project Officers visit the nesting banks in search of freshly laid clutches. Once there is positive confirmation of the eggs, the clutch is individually protected to reduce predation by wild dogs, foxes and monitor lizards.
At the end of the season, data is collected of hatching successes.
96 clutches were monitored during the 2011/12 nesting season on 12 nesting banks. 585 embryos are known to have successfully hatched.
2. Support research
Through the sale of locally made chocolate turtles, Tiaro Landcare funds a support scholarship for a PhD candidate. The current scholarship holder, Ms Mariana Campbell won the Best Student Presentation at the Turtle Survival Alliance symposium in Orlando, Florida. Her research has shown that the females return to the same bank each year to nest. A valuable partnership has been established between Tiaro Landcare Group and the University of Queensland.
3. Promote the Mary River turtle & its habitat
A DVD, Sharing Mary, a long fat turtle tale was produced through a small grant from the Fraser Coast Regional Council and voluntary contributions from the videographer, scriptwriter and others. Static displays were held at various local events. The Mary River turtle received Australia wide coverage through a documentary, Two on the Great Divide" which was broadcast on ABC TV. Tiaro Landcare members were pleased to be involved with the filming of the segment on the Mary River turtle.
More information is available on the web:www.maryriverturtle.com
Or visit the facebook page and 'Like' it: Mary River turtle project - Tiaro Landcare
The text and images for this case study are uploaded by the grant recipient to raise awareness of the conservation work being done. Through its website the Fund provides the platform, but is not responsible for text or image content of case studies. We would like to sincerely thank the recipient for uploading a case study.
