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Acknowledgements Tiaro & District Landcare wish to gratefully acknowledge Sinclair Knight Mertz who were official sponsor of the 2006 Queensland Landcare Innovation Award. The prize money received from this award provided financial assistance for this project. We also wish to recognise Ergon Energy and staff for supporting our chocolate turtle drives and the many other individuals who have purchased our chocolates in recent years. This booklet could not have been produced without the assistance of the many people involved in its compilation. In particular, we wish to thank John Cann for his wonderful photos and Julie Hinchliffe for helping to pull everything together. Dr Col Limpus and staff from QPWS deserve thanks for providing technical assistance for our conservation project, as do all Project Officers and volunteers who have assisted with the conservation of this turtle. Thanks also to the many landholders, businesses and organisations who have generously offered their assistance to the Mary River turtle project over the years. 2 3
Publication details Published by Tiaro & District Landcare Group Inc. Feedback welcome. Web: www.maryriverturtle.com (or www.mrccc.org.au/tiaro.html). Post: PO Box 6, Tiaro QLD, Australia 4650 Contents First edition September 2008. ISBN 978-0-646-50067-6 Words by Samantha Flakus and Marilyn Connell. Cover, editing and design by Julie Hinchliffe, Great Sandy Publications. Photographs by Marilyn Connell except where stated otherwise. Map kindly produced and supplied by Dale Watson, Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee (MRCCC). MRCCC makes no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness and disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability or negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damage) and costs which might be incurred as a result of the data being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason. This map is not to be sold or re-made as part of a commercial product. Printed in Toowoomba, Australia by Greenridge Press Pty Ltd on recycled paper (9 Lives Silk Art). Copyright text and images: Tiaro & District Landcare Group Inc. 2008. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, stored or retrieved by any means without the publisher s prior permission. About the authors Samantha Flakus (above left) has been a huge fan of the Mary River turtle since she first began studying the species in 1997 as part of a Masters degree at the University of Queensland. She spent her teenage years growing up in Gympie where she developed an appreciation for the great outdoors - especially all things aquatic. With the Mary River right on her doorstep, Sam s passion for turtles was born. She sees writing this booklet as the perfect way to educate young people about one of Australia s unique freshwater turtle species, the Mary River turtle. When she isn t researching turtles, Sam enjoys swimming, surfing and travelling. Tiaro & District Landcare President Marilyn Connell (above right) has a twinkle in her eye whenever she mentions the Mary River turtle... Like many locals, Marilyn spent her youth exploring Maryborough s waterways (but never heard of the turtle until she met Samantha). Now an environmental consultant, Marilyn has clocked up 18 years working in the environment industry, 14 of which were spent with Greening Australia. She feels strongly about two things - observing ecological processes in order to inform practical restoration and management, and finding the balance between conservation and production. She has been coordinating Tiaro Landcare projects for the past 10 years and loves nothing better than working alongside community members, researchers and professionals. forward 6 introduction 8 yesterday 12 today 18 tomorrow 26 resources 32 4 5
Tiaro & District Landcare members at a fencing working bee to protect nesting banks (left to right / back row: Lynn Klupfel, Ray Klupfel and Adrian Ross, front row: Jan Mortimer and Ron Black) By Tiaro & District Landcare Inspired by the Mary River turtle is a fitting way to describe us. Let s face it - Landcare can be a broad and tricky concept to get our heads around. It tackles everything from how we farm and use our land/water resources, to how we look after natural ecosystems. Our Landcare group is always looking for ways to balance production and nature conservation. As well as looking at the science, economics and practicalities of land and water management, we need to inspire people with different values and backgrounds to work together. At times, it can be a real juggling act and the answers are not always as clear or straightforward as we might like. So how on earth do we meet these challenges? We are proud to say our group draws its inspiration from an ambassador ; a previously secretive, rarely-seen local who is rapidly becoming one of the most fascinating and likable characters in this part of the world - the Mary River turtle. Tiaro & District Landcare first formed in 1997. Back then, like most people, we were ignorant of the existence of the Mary River turtle. Our habitat restoration work along the river banks, however, soon had us crossing paths with Samantha Flakus (co-author of this book). Samantha brought us up to speed with the turtle s remarkable story of survival and the research she d just begun. We were horrified, amazed and inspired. Horrified by the terrible (albeit unintentional) pressure from humans forced on this ancient creature in such a short space of time; amazed that the embattled population of turtles still lingered in our local waterways; and inspired to ramp up our Landcare efforts and do the very best we could for the Mary River turtle. By 2001, our turtle program was formally underway. In the years following, we have achieved great things for Landcare in our area by informing people about this unique turtle and protecting Forward nests to increase the survival of hatchlings. Among other things, we also fund a support scholarship for a post-graduate student. Many landholders, businesses and organisations have generously offered us their assistance. In fact, the success of initiatives such as the chocolate turtle drive continues to surprise and delight us. As you read through this booklet, we invite you to explore the knowledge of yesterday and today, so that together, we can look to protect the Mary River turtle tomorrow and further into the future. Like us, you may experience feelings of horror, amazement and inspiration. We also invite you to take heart from the fact that our efforts to protect the turtle s habitat and life cycle are helping many other native species at the same time. Natalie Mathie (left) receives the Mary River turtle support scholarship 6 7
The Mary River turtle, Elusor macrurus, boasts a long and interesting history of discovery. Eluding scientists for almost thirty years after its discovery in the pet trade, this unique species of Australian freshwater turtle is now fascinating many students, farmers and local folk. It has become a local icon and was the faunal emblem of the Tiaro Shire Council. This resource has been compiled to give you an insight into the life of the Mary River turtle. It is aimed at helping teachers, students and biologists discover the true nature of this secretive turtle. A guide to current publications, websites and resources is also provided. And now, it is our pleasure to introduce the Mary River turtle. Mary River turtle A turtle is just a turtle or is it? Many people in today s society are astounded by what our natural environment has to offer. Not all of us, however, have fully come to grips with just how diverse different species can be. For many of us, a turtle is just a turtle, and the same goes for many other animals. Is this really true? Or is there more to turtles than first meets the eye? Let s take a look at the turtle s family tree (opposite) to find out more Although there are many different animals in the world, they all form part of Kingdom Anamalia. According to this system of classification, animals are grouped together based on their similarities. They are divided into two major groups depending on whether or not they have a backbone. Turtles belong to the Chordates; those animals that have a backbone. Turtles are further grouped into Class Reptilia. Turtles share this group with other reptiles such as snakes, lizards and crocodiles. As we progress down the classification, turtles form their own group known as Order Testudines. The Testudines include all turtles such as marine turtles, freshwater turtles and land tortoises. Australia is only home to marine and freshwater turtles. The freshwater turtle group is Side-necked turtles Pleurodirans (side-necked turtles) Chelidae (4 genera & 24 species in Australia) further split into side-necked species that bend their neck to the side when it is withdrawn or turtles that withdraw their neck in an S bend. The Mary River turtle is a side-necked turtle. Kingdom Anamalia Phylum Chordata Sub-Phylum Vertebrata Class Reptilia (turtles, snakes, lizards etc) Order Testudines (marine turtles, freshwater turtles & land tortoises) Introduction Cryptodirans (head withdrawn in an S bend) Carretochelydae Long-necked turtles (1 genus & 6 species in Australia) You are probably beginning to realise that turtles are not just turtles. Their classification is complex and based on many physical and genetic features. 8 9
Is it a turtle or a tortoise? Generally speaking, all turtles that live in water are known as turtles and those that live on land are tortoises. Tortoises have clublike feet and are slow moving. Turtles have either flippers, like marine turtles, or webbed feet like freshwater turtles. So, now that we know a little bit about the ancestry of turtles, let s learn more about the Mary River turtle. How does the Mary River turtle differ from other turtles? The Mary River turtle, Elusor macrurus, is a short-necked turtle which is assigned its very own category or genus (Elusor). Its unique characteristics set it apart from all other species of freshwater turtle worldwide. As its name implies, the Mary River turtle can only be found in the Mary River Catchment in southeast Queensland. The Mary River turtle also happens to be one of the largest short-necked turtles in Australia. The female s shell grows to about 34cm in length, with the male s shell reaching up to 42cm. The low-domed, streamlined shell is dull in colour and unpatterned in appearance. The underside of the turtle s body is cream to yellow Mary River turtle (photo courtesy: John Cann) Tail of adult male Mary River turtle in colour and the scales around its feet, called the transverse lamellae, are pink. Adult males and females differ slightly in body shape. The female s shell is wider and rounder at the back whereas the male s shell is depressed, narrow and nearly straight-sided. Adult males are also distinguished by a large tail which extends to 70% of the shell length when stretched. (See photos for male / female comparison on page 23). Introduction Faces of the Mary River. Left to right: Kreffts River turtle (Emydura krefftii), Snapping turtle (Elseya albagula), Saw-shelled turtle (Elseya latisternum), not shown to scale Mary River turtle (photo courtesy: Samantha Flakus) 10 11
Yesterday The history and discovery of the Mary River turtle 1962- Commercial egg harvest for the pet trade identified and 1974 sold as Elseya latisternum 1962 Through pet shop sales, the Mary River turtle (then known as the pet shop turtle ) was recognised as a unique and new species by turtle enthusiasts 1970s Turtle enthusiast John Cann searches river systems throughout Australia and Papua New Guinea to find the origin of this pet shop turtle without success 1974 Reptiles receive protection through the Queensland Government s introduction of the Fauna Conservation Act - commercial egg harvesting becomes illegal 1984 The Victorian Government introduces laws to prevent the sale of turtles under the size of 100mm in carapace (shell) length stopping the import of hatchlings 1987 John Cann re-establishes contact with pet shop owners. He is given the supplier s name a fisherman from Maryborough, Queensland 1990 Discovery of the pet shop turtle in the Mary River, QLD... The first Mary River turtle collected for identification was on 16 October 1990 by John Cann (Cann, 1998) 1994 The species is formally described as the Mary River turtle, Elusor macrurus 1997 The nesting and reproductive patterns of the Mary River turtle are studied by Flakus 1998 Study by Georges and McInnes to determine whether temperature sex determination exists in the species... Continued study by Flakus to learn more about other aspects of the ecology of the Mary River turtle 2001- Nests protected and monitored by Tiaro & District ongoing Landcare with support from Greening Australia Qld (WWF Threatened Species Grant) and Burnett Mary Regional Group as part of the Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service Turtle Conservation Project 2005- Natalie Mathie from University of Queensland researches 2007 the diving physiology of the Mary River turtle, impact of oxygen levels and responses to predators 12 13
Let s take a closer look... 1962-1974 Over a period of 12 years, thousands of hatchling or penny turtles were sold to pet shops throughout Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Adelaide. During this time, these penny turtles were thought to be the common saw-shelled turtle (Elseya latisternum). Little did anyone know a new species was about to be discovered Each year, up to 12,000 eggs were collected from the banks of the Mary River and incubated in a backyard in Maryborough. As the eggs hatched, the hatchling turtles were shipped across the country to supply the growing pet turtle trade. During the time of commercial egg harvest, it is thought that little or no recruitment of hatchling turtles back into the river occurred around the Tiaro region. This was because most of the eggs were harvested. 1970s In the 1970s, turtle enthusiast and collector John Cann set out on a mission to discover the origin of the unidentified pet shop turtle. Amongst turtle enthusiasts, the species was referred to as shortnecked alpha. This is where John Cann s amazing story begins Mary River turtle hatchling John Cann an inspiring story of discovery John Cann is a turtle enthusiast and collector from the Sydney region. His interest in freshwater turtles has led him on some amazing adventures across the globe in search of new species. He is well known in the turtle world for his discovery of shortnecked alpha in its natural habitat. Here s an account of one man s incredible drive to solve an age old mystery When John Cann first set off to find out where short-necked alpha came from he was told the Torres Strait. It was several years before he convinced himself this couldn t be right. In 1974 he sought the help of well-known American biologist John Legler. Yesterday John Cann (photo courtesy: John Cann) With the discovery of the turtle s origin in sight, Cann contacted the supplier only to be led on another wild goose chase this time throughout south-western parts of Queensland, the Gulf, Cape York and New South Wales. It wasn t until 1989 when Cann met the supplier that the true origin of short-necked alpha was disclosed the Mary River. With poor diving conditions, Cann still had no luck finding any turtles; well not the type he was after anyway. He began to doubt whether short-necked alpha really was from the Mary River. For the first couple of years, Cann would go on to search river hatchling turtles were sold to systems throughout Australia and suppliers for a mere 30c each. even Papua New Guinea, his The price then jumped to 50c quest to discover and describe as demand increased. In the In 1990, the Maryborough supplier the new species taking much local area from which the turtles contacted Cann to say that he had longer than he ever imagined. originated, it is said that hatchlings an adult turtle to show him. With Decades passed, yet there was were sold to the pet shops for $1 great haste, Cann made his way still no sign of short-necked alpha each. Saw-shelled turtle to Maryborough to see this turtle. in the wild. He was given several Confirmed it truely was an adult Through the pet trade, the Mary false leads along the way but pet-shop turtle. Later that day on River turtle was discovered. still he continued his search. By the Mary River, Cann confirmed a As the hatchlings grew, turtle 1987, Cann re-established contact sighting of two adults basking. At enthusiasts recognised that this with several pet-shop owners last, his search had ended! pet shop turtle was unique this and was finally given the name of was certainly no common sawshelled turtle. Maryborough in Queensland. (Adapted with permission from Australian the supplier a fisherman from Freshwater Turtles by Cann, 1998) 14 15
Yesterday 1998 In 1998, Georges and McInnes published their work on temperature sex determination in the Mary River turtle. They discovered that, unlike marine turtles, the Mary River turtle did not rely on the temperature of the sand during incubation to determine the sex of the hatchling. 1997-2002 In 1997, Samantha Flakus, a student from the University of Queensland, began her study on the Mary River turtle. Initially investigating the species nesting and reproductive patterns, the study later expanded to look at population dynamics, distribution, abundance, diet and patterns of movement. 2001 - present Alerted to the plight of the endangered turtle, Greening Australia and Tiaro & District Landcare members commenced work aimed at increasing the species survival prospects. Activities include protecting nests, mapping nesting sites, raising awareness of the Mary River turtle and funding a support scholarship for a tertiary student. Without nest protection in the Tiaro reach of the river, it is believed 90 100% of all nests laid would be raided by predators - mostly goannas, foxes and domestic and wild dogs. 2005-2007 Natalie Mathie researches how changes in environmental conditions as a result of river damming may influence the aquatic respiration and diving behaviour of hatchling turtles. Turtle survey, November 2002 Samantha Flakus takes hatchling measurements Fencing to protect nests from goannas, foxes, wild dogs and cattle 16 17
Having remained undiscovered for so many years, the Mary River turtle is now attracting the attention of scientists eager to learn more about its biology and ecology. Over the last 10 years we have learnt a lot about the Mary River turtle and how it uses its environment. We have discovered how widely the turtles are found, which habitat they prefer, what they like to eat, where they like to swim and lay their eggs, how often they reproduce and how long they can dive for. Yet despite this wealth of knowledge, there is still much more to learn. Ongoing research has been established through a number of programs and specific projects are undertaken through university studies. Current legal status The Mary River turtle is listed as an Endangered species under Australian Government and Queensland Government legislation. It is also recognised as such by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources). In 2003, the International Turtle Conservation Fund included the Mary River turtle in its list of the world s 25 most endangered turtle species. Today Secrets revealed... Let s explore what we do know about the life of this unique species and how it interacts with its environment. Distribution and habitat The Mary River turtle is endemic to the Mary River in southeast Queensland (see map opposite). It is found throughout the mainstream of the Mary River from Kenilworth in the upper reaches, to the saltwater tidal barrage downstream of Tiaro. It may also occur in some of the major creeks. The Mary River turtle s in-stream habitat is varied, but generally the turtles are found in welloxygenated waters around riffle zones. They are often found hiding under log jams, rock crevices or water plants and can often be spotted basking on logs or rocks protruding from the water. Juvenile turtles are more commonly found around rocky outcrops and are rarely seen basking. The Mary River turtle s preferred nesting habitat is unvegetated sand banks. 18 19
Today Movement patterns Like sea turtles, the Mary River turtle seems to be faithful to its feeding grounds and will return to the same pool after moving away for breeding or during flooding events. During the nonbreeding season, the movements of both male and female Mary River turtles are very localised (200-600m). However during the breeding season, females can swim up to 2km to find a suitable sand bank on which to lay their eggs. Males also make large movements of up to 1.1km during the breeding season - presumably to find female turtles with which to mate. During flooding events, Mary River turtles swim upstream against the current to find an area out of the main flow of the floodwaters. As soon as the flow of the water drops back down to normal levels, the turtles move back to the same pool from which they originated. This type of behaviour reduces their chances of being washed downstream with the current of strong flood waters. Nesting and incubation Although the species is unique in many ways, its nesting habits are probably what have intrigued scientists the most. Historical records suggest Mary River turtles congregate around sand banks during the nesting season and nest en masse at night after the first significant summer rain. Commercial egg collectors witnessed these events back in the 1960s and 1970s. Unfortunately, with breeding numbers much lower than what they used to be, mass nesting has not been observed in recent times. Nesting occurs from October to January each year, with most of the nesting occurring in November and early December. Scientists suggest Mary River turtles breed every year and only produce one clutch of approximately 13 eggs. Incubation generally takes up to 50 days, however this depends on the temperature of the sand. Cooler temperatures extend the incubation period, while warmer temperatures speed up the process. Not all nests make it to full term because of predation and flooding. For those that do survive, hatching success is generally high. Predation of the eggs by feral dogs, foxes and goannas is a big problem for the Mary River turtle. Since 2001, Tiaro Landcare officers have been protecting nesting banks and individual nests in an effort to help hatchlings repopulate the river. Nesting banks are protected using a combination of electric and mesh fencing, while individual nests are protected using flat plastic mesh screens. Since the project began, the Landcarers have protected up to 76 nests each year and helped a total of 1,500+ eggs develop into hatchlings. Although encouraged by the results, we are mindful that today s population has a very long way to go if it s to approach previous levels (as suggested by the 10-15,000 hatchlings sold each year during the pet trade). Weather conditions also impact on the success of nests. If the nest is inundated by floodwaters, the partially-developed hatchling dies. Hatchlings are about 3.3cm long and weigh approximately 6.8g. Male Mary River turtle with radio tracking device attached to its shell (photo courtesy: Samantha Flakus) Mary River turtle eggs in nest Mary River turtle egg Mary River turtle hatchling 20 21
Diet As a juvenile, the Mary River turtle mainly eats insect larvae and freshwater sponges which are generally found in shallow rocky areas. Studies have shown that a diet rich in protein and calcium is needed by young turtles for rapid growth and shell hardening. As the Mary River turtle matures, its diet shifts to a more herbivorous one comprising mainly water plants. Not fussy about the type of plant they eat, the turtles will generally eat whatever is available. Along with plant material, they ingest insect larvae (probably belonging to insect species which have a preference for laying their eggs among the aquatic plants). There are reports of turtles feeding on freshwater mussels and some terrestrial plant materials. Population dynamics From 1997 1999, a markrecapture program undertaken in the river upstream of Tiaro looked at the structure of the Mary River turtle population. The study revealed a population which wasn t very healthy, as very few sub-adult or teenage turtles were present. As the graph opposite shows, the population was mainly comprised of adult turtles and a small number of juveniles. It s thought the Mary River turtle may take about 30 years to mature (that is, become a breeding adult). The absence of sub-adult turtles in the population may therefore be a result of the intensive egg harvest of the 1960s and 1970s. Even though egg harvesting no longer occurs, the high incidence of egg predation by goannas and foxes seems to be keeping the juvenile population low. Another interesting observation made during the study was the distinct difference in size between adult female and male Mary River turtles. Whereas female turtles grow to about 32cm, the much-larger males reach about 42cm. Tail length is also markedly different between the sexes; male tails are about 14cm in length whereas female tails only reach about 3.5cm. Undersides of male (right) and female Mary River turtles showing difference in tail size (tail end is bottom of photo) Today Graph 1: Age structure of the Mary River turtle population (1997-1999) (graph courtesy: Samantha Flakus) Mary River turtle (photo courtesy: John Cann) 22 23
Diving behaviour Some species of freshwater turtles, including the Mary River turtle, are able to extract oxygen from the water just like fish. These turtles have special gilllike structures in their tails called cloaca bursae. As water is flushed in and out of these structures, the turtles are able to absorb oxygen from the water. This special ability allows the turtles to outlast other freshwater turtles underwater. By studying the diving behaviour of the Mary River turtle, scientists have discovered that hatchling Mary River turtles can remain underwater for as long as 2.5 days without coming to the surface to breathe air. The length of time that the turtles can remain submerged depends on a number of factors such as the water temperature, oxygen level, water flow and depth. Changes in these environmental conditions have serious implications for the turtle. In what ways do you think a turtle s environment might change? What could trigger these changes? Responses to predators As with most animals, hatchling turtles experience the highest mortality of any life stage. Generally, this is due to predation from animals such as water rats, Today eels, large fish, and herons and raptors. Predators can strike when hatchling turtles are swimming within the water column or at the water s surface. The hatchling Mary River turtles have a way around this In the presence of a predator, they are able to increase their submergence time by 35%. Fewer trips to the surface to breathe in oxygen and more time spent hiding on the river bed means less exposure to predators. But what happens if oxygen levels in the water change? Consider this when oxygen levels in the water are low, hatchlings turtles are unable to respire aquatically. They have been found to spend 20% more time at the surface to breathe, thereby increasing their exposure to predators. Top: Mary River turtle hatchling making its way to the water Bottom: The Mary River showing riffle zone (where shallow water flows over rocks or debris in rapid turbulent flow) 24 25
Rubbish collected by floodwaters Habitat choked by water hyacinth (a water weed) The Mary River at dawn Many conservationists and scientists are deeply concerned for the future of the Mary River turtle. Endangered status obligates the Australian and Queensland Governments to plan and implement recovery actions. The IUCN perceives a high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. Declining numbers of mature individuals and the turtle s dependency on a single location (the Mary River) heighten the species vulnerability. Over the last 30 years, the Mary River turtle population has plummeted, presumably as a result of human harvest, loss of nesting habitat, increased predation by both native and exotic species and environmental degradation. The number of wild turtles is not known, however estimates indicate that the number of breeding females has dropped by 90% since the 1960s. It may take decades for the full extent of these impacts on the turtle to be fully realised. Like the Australian lungfish, adult turtles can live a long time; up to 80 years. We may not know everything about the Mary River turtle, but we do know enough to realise that its long term survival hinges on the way we look after the environment in which they live. Tomorrow Impacts on the Mary River turtle Let s take a look at some of the impacts the Mary River turtle is currently faced with and explore some of the ways in which we can help the species to survive Dams and weirs In today s modern world, one of the major impacts facing some freshwater turtle populations is the alteration of their habitat through the construction of dams and weirs. Have you ever stopped to think about what sort of changes these dams and weirs are having on the river environment? Dams and weirs alter the natural flow of a river to trap water for later use. Apart from the obvious changes to the immediate area of the structure, there are other more significant changes occurring instream which, in turn, create problems for the myriad of creatures inhabiting this environment. Some of these changes include: Increased water levels Altered water temperature Decreased oxygen levels Decreased water clarity Decreased plant life Altered instream habitat Altered transportation of sediment 26 27
For some species, these changes result in an environment which is uninhabitable. For the Mary River turtle, a species unable to adapt to such changes, this means trouble. Take a look at the changes to its habitat which result from altering a flowing river to a large, stationery pond such as a dam: No in-stream habitat such as log jams and plant life where the Mary River turtle can shelter; Flooding of sand banks that could have been used for nesting no place now to lay eggs; No plant life because the water is too dirty, there is less oxygen and it is too deep no food for the Mary River turtle to eat; Poor water quality and less oxygen in the water conditions unsuitable for the Mary River turtle s survival. Predation Nest destruction by goannas, foxes and wild dogs is also a major problem today, resulting in low levels of hatchling recruitment back into the wild population. Extended periods of low recruitment, together with low breeding rates and slow maturity, will all substantially affect the Mary River turtle s ability to survive. Habitat modification Apart from the construction of dams and weirs, there are other human activities that dramatically change the physical and chemical balance of a river system. Land clearing, sand mining, agricultural and industrial run-off and sewerage discharges all affect the natural balance of such a system. These changes can be as detrimental to aquatic plants and animals as the other impacts already listed. David Parkes lays down mesh to protect a turtle nest from predators Tomorrow What can we do to help? What actions we can take to help the Mary River turtle survive? 1. Protect our river banks from clearing and regenerate alreadycleared banks using native plants; 2. Fence turtle nesting sites to protect nests from cattle trampling; 3. Exclude sand extraction from nesting banks; 4. Remove weeds from known sand banks to allow for turtle nesting; remove water weeds (eg water hyacinth and salvinia) as these deplete oxygen, light and temperature; 5. Seek advice on how to protect turtle nests by contacting your local Landcare or Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service (QPWS) office; 6. Be water-wise and become self sufficient in water use so as not to encourage the construction of dams and weirs in your area; 7. Report any tagged turtles you find to your local QPWS office to assist researchers in learning more about the Mary River turtle; 8. Do not pollute our waterways with rubbish and other waste; 9. Know what to do if a turtle is caught on your fishing line - cut the line close to the mouth of the turtle if the hook cannot be easily removed; 10. Never use stainless steel hooks when fishing as they do not degrade; 11. Reduce chemical use on farms or use bio-degradable chemicals that are not harmful to the environment; 12. Learn more about protecting the world you live in remember you share this planet with other living things. Positive action, together with ongoing research and monitoring, is needed if this unique population of turtles is to survive in our waterways. 28 29
Last word The Mary River turtle s story of survival is an incredible one. As part of its evolutionary journey over millions of years, the species has survived all of the challenges nature has thrown at it. It has adapted and improved in ways we may never fully understand. Yet in just a few short decades, human beings forced the turtle to endure its greatest onslaught of challenges yet. That the Mary River turtle somehow managed to pull through gives our own species a chance to put things right. People s attitudes are changing at an encouraging rate, with younger generations in particular quick to embrace the turtle as a symbol of conservation and a fascinating species in its own right. As researchers and Landcarers, we still have much to learn, including why the species calls the Mary River home and is found nowhere else in the world. At the same time, more and more people are coming to grips with the urgent need for both habitat and species protection in order for this turtle to survive in the wild. The authors and Tiaro & District Landcare sincerely hope this booklet has helped to inspire and inform its readers. As part of a Tomorrow community doing its best to create a sustainable environment for all species, we are optimistic that yesterday s mistakes have taught us valuable lessons. Together, we can act in positive ways to help the Mary River turtle today, giving this wonderful creature the best chance of a bright future tomorrow. Tanzi Smith releases hatchlings 30 31
Publications Bridges, E.M., Ross, D.J. and Thompson, C.H. 1990. Soils of the Mary River alluvia near Gympie, Queensland. CSIRO Division of soils, Adelaide. Cann, J. 1998. Australian Freshwater Turtles. Beaumont Publishing Pty Ltd. Singapore. Cann, J. and Legler, J. 1994. The Mary River Tortoise: a new genus and species of short-necked Chelid from Queensland, Australia (Testudines:Pleuroduria). Chel. Cons. Biol., 1(2):81-96. Clark, N.J. 2008. The diving physiological ecology of Australian freshwater turtle hatchlings. PhD Thesis, The University of Queensland. Clark, N.J., Gordos, M.A. and Franklin, C.E. 2008. Thermal plasticity of diving behaviour, aquatic respiration and locomotor performance in the Mary River Turtle Elusor macrurus. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 81 (3):301-309. Clark, N.J., Gordos, M.A. and Franklin, C.E. 2008. Diving behaviour, aquatic respiration and blood respiratory properties: a comparison of hatchling and juvenile Australian turtles. Journal of Zoology. 275:399-406. Cogger, H.G. 2000. Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia 6th edition. Reed New Holland Sydney. Connell, M. and Wedlock, B. 2006 Mary River Turtle Protection: Tiaro District of Southeast Queensland, 2005 2006 nesting season, Conservation technical and data report, Volume 2006 Number 8 Qld Environmental Protection Agency. Flakus, S.P. 1998. Reproduction, population dynamics and movement patterns of the Mary River turtle, Elusor macrurus. Unpublished thesis. Flakus, S.P. 2002. Ecology of the Mary River turtle, Elusor macrurus. Masters thesis, The University of Queensland. Georges, A. 1995. Mary River Turtle. Australia Nature Summer 1995/6:22. Georges, A. and McInnes, S. 1998. Temperature fails to influence hatchling sex in another genus and species of chelid turtle, Elusor macrurus (Chelonia:Chelidae). J. Herptetol. 32(4): 596-598. Johnson, D. 1997. State of the rivers: Mary River and major tributaries; an ecological and physical assessment of the condition of streams in the Mary River Catchment. Department of Natural Resources, Resource Sciences Centre, Brisbane. Pointer, S.M. 1998. Land Resource Bulletin Land use, vegetation cover and land disturbance survey of the Mary River Catchment, 1997. Queensland Government. Queensland Government (2005) Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 1994 Schedule 2 Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel, Brisbane. Van Kampen, T., Emerick, S.P. and Parkes, D. 2003. Increasing the Survivorship of the Mary River Turtle. Tiaro District of Southeast Queensland October 2002 - March 2003. Unpublished Report, Greening Australia, Tiaro and District Landcare Group Inc. and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Wilson, S. 2005. A field guide to Reptiles of Queensland. New Holland. Websites www.iucnredlist.org/ - International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources www.austmus.gov.au Australian Museum www.environment.gov.au - Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts www.qm.qld.gov.au/features/endangered/ - Queensland Museum www.epa.qld.gov.au/nature_conservation/wildlife/native_animals - Queensland Government Environmental Protection Agency www.uq.edu.au - The University of Queensland www.mrccc.org.au/tiaro.html - Tiaro & District Landcare Resources www.aftcra.org.au Australian Freshwater Turtle Conservation Research Association MARY RIVER TURTLE WEBSITE Great news! Tiaro & District Landcare is creating a new website solely dedicated to the Mary River turtle. Visit www.maryriverturtle.com 32 33
Contacts For more information on current research on the Mary River turtle contact the following organisations: Tiaro & District Landcare Address: PO Box 6, Tiaro Qld 4650, Phone: (07) 4129 6206 Queensland Government Environmental Protection Agency / Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service EPA Customer Service Centre: PO Box 15155, City East Qld 4002, Phone: 1300 130 372. EPA Maryborough: PO Box 101, Maryborough Qld 4650, Phone: (07) 4121 1800. EPA Mon Repos: 141 Mon Repos Rd, Mon Repos Qld 4670, Phone: (07) 4159 1652 The University of Queensland Address: Integrative Biology School, The University of Queensland, Brisbane Qld 4072, Phone: (07) 3365 1111 Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee Address: PO Box 1027, Gympie Qld 4570, Phone: (07) 5482 4766 The parts of a turtle Barbel - soft fleshy skin protuberances, believed to be sensory in function on the chins of some turtles Carapace - the upper half of the shell of turtles Cloaca - the chamber into which the digestive, urinary and reproductive organs empty Cloaca bursa - a protective sac of fluid shielding the communal excretory cavity Plastron - the lower half of the shell Only a few parts are listed here as defined by Cann (1998). Mary River turtle hatchling (photo courtesy: John Cann) 34 35
Proceeds from the sale of this booklet assist Tiaro & District Landcare in its efforts to save the endangered Mary River turtle. Visit us online at www.maryriverturtle.com