VULNERABLE: Native turtle numbers at risk

Aussie Pythons & Snakes Forum

Help Support Aussie Pythons & Snakes Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Status
Not open for further replies.

Flaviemys purvisi

Very Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2017
Messages
3,353
Reaction score
2,529
Location
QLD
warwickdailynews_v2-fc5ggs7dvrhgel510q2_t210 (1).png
By LIANA WALKER
13th December - 2018
b881710206z1_20181213084919_000gr11bnfi82-0-c47qkh1oismrfyc8gr2_ct677x380.jpg
Bell's Turtle hatchling which can be found at Girraween. PICTURE: NSW OEH


WATER conversation is not only important for the community, it's important for our native wildlife.

Bald Rock Creek in Girraween National Park is home to a vulnerable species, the Bell's Turtle.

A Queensland Department of Environment and Science spokeswoman said residents needed to conserve water to protect the reptile.

"This freshwater turtle is restricted to high-altitude creeks on the New England Tableland," she said.

"Queensland's largest population of this species is in a small section of Bald Rock Creek.

"That same part of the creek also supplies the camping areas with water."


The medium-sized turtle has a brown coloured shell and black underside. Its natural habitat is in Granite Country where it prefers shallow waters.

The turtle's current status is vulnerable and is considered endangered across the state border.

"Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service are currently trying to keep the waterhole at a level where Bell's turtles can continue to survive," the DES spokewoman said.

Other threats to the turtles include pollution and increased sedimentation, trampling and damage to river banks and riverside vegetation and changes to natural stream flows as a result of water extraction and building of weirs.

Residents can help protect the turtles firstly by conserving water, especially when visiting Girraween National Park, as well as correctly disposing of rubbish.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Back
Top