Top turtle experts visit Tiaro
Four leading international turtle zoologists spent three days investigating the
endangered Mary River turtle and habitat of the Mary River following the International
Sea Turtle Symposium held in Brisbane earlier this year.
Dr Peter Pritchard, who has studied turtles worldwide for 40 years and been named
a ‘Hero of the Planet’ by Time Magazine, said, “The Mary River Turtle is an absolute
Australian treasure.”
“There is quite a large international interest in this turtle. It’s important
we don’t mess up the river as the world community can’t afford to lose this extraordinary
creature,” he said.
Other visitors included Dr Peter Paul van Dijk of the International Union of
Conservation of Nature, which has included the Mary River Turtle in its list of
the top 25 most threatened freshwater turtles in the world; Dr Gerald Kutchling
of Western Australia, an authority on chelonian reproduction; and Chuck Schaffer,
a member of the IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialists, who commended
Tiaro Landcare Group on their efforts to conserve this turtle and its habitat.
Tiaro Landcare has been invited to give a presentation about the Mary River Turtle
at the largest freshwater turtle symposium in the world to be held in St Louis,
Missouri in August 2009.
For more info contact Marilyn Connell, Tiaro & District Landcare Group, on
0427 293 221 or via tiarolandcare1@bigpond.com.
International turtle experts discussing the Mary River Turtle with Tiaro &
District Landcare members. From left: Dr Peter & Sibille Pritchard, Dr Peter
Paul van Dijk, Dr Gerald Kutchling, Chuck Schaffer, and Landcare members Vicki
and Adrian Ross.
Photo: Marilyn Connell
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