peterjohnson64
Very Well-Known Member
As a lot of you know I have recently become a member of AFTCRA.
Anyway, perhaps the biggest challenge AFTCRA has in front of us is to conserve the Mary River Turtle. If that damn dam goes ahead then we will almost certainly lose Mary River Turtles in the wild. They will soon (hopefully for their publicity benefit) be recognised as Australia's most endangered species.
anyway, Craig Latta (on behalf of AFTCRA Inc.) has a breeding colony of these magnificent animals, which may represent around 15% of known adults in the wild at this present time
We have struck a deal whereby I will be taking one small male, (named TJ) and raising him in Sydney in my turtle pond. We will prepare a strong local media campaign to raise awareness of the plight of these animals. The intention is to eventually release this animal back with Craig's breeding stock when it matures, which will help breed more hatchlings for release. I will then raise a few more hatchlings to maturity
But we also need a lot more.
1. Lots of you would have already seen the petition at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/741410919
if not, please take your time to have a look and consider signing it.
2. We need more members of AFTCRA so that we can raise some more funds to help save this turtle. And who knows, other members may also get the opportunity to help raise some more of these animals to maturity for captive breeding, and aid in the release of their offspring into the wild.
3. we would also like the assistance of our members to help complete a survey of turtle numbers in the Mary River
Anyway, perhaps the biggest challenge AFTCRA has in front of us is to conserve the Mary River Turtle. If that damn dam goes ahead then we will almost certainly lose Mary River Turtles in the wild. They will soon (hopefully for their publicity benefit) be recognised as Australia's most endangered species.
anyway, Craig Latta (on behalf of AFTCRA Inc.) has a breeding colony of these magnificent animals, which may represent around 15% of known adults in the wild at this present time
We have struck a deal whereby I will be taking one small male, (named TJ) and raising him in Sydney in my turtle pond. We will prepare a strong local media campaign to raise awareness of the plight of these animals. The intention is to eventually release this animal back with Craig's breeding stock when it matures, which will help breed more hatchlings for release. I will then raise a few more hatchlings to maturity
But we also need a lot more.
1. Lots of you would have already seen the petition at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/741410919
if not, please take your time to have a look and consider signing it.
2. We need more members of AFTCRA so that we can raise some more funds to help save this turtle. And who knows, other members may also get the opportunity to help raise some more of these animals to maturity for captive breeding, and aid in the release of their offspring into the wild.
3. we would also like the assistance of our members to help complete a survey of turtle numbers in the Mary River
