Manny Rescued from Poachers

AN endangered Manning River turtle, rescued from poachers, has become the first of the species to become part of the Aussie Ark and Australian Reptile Park conservation breeding program.

The Office of Environment and Heritage found poachers had taken two turtles, with only one surviving.

They seized the surviving turtle and placed it into the care of the Aussie Ark.

Staff named the female turtle Manny after the founder of the new captive breeding program designed to save the species from extinction.

The Manning River turtle is Australia’s oldest species of turtle, estimated to he 55 million years old, but now endangered and only found in the middle and upper stretches of the Manning River catchment area.

Tim Faulkner, president of Aussie Ark said feral foxes and feral pigs are the key threat to the species with Australia amidst an “extinction crisis” with the worst extinction rates on the planet due to feral species.

“We are so excited with the arrival of Manny to be one of the founder animals of the Manning River Turtle Project,” said Mr Faulkner.

“Not many people know, but Australia’s freshwater turtles are under serious threat. Up to 90% of turtle nests are preyed upon by feral foxes and feral pigs,” he said.

“Even worse, mother turtles, some of which are 50 years old, are being killed by foxes whilst laying eggs,” he said.

“We’ve created a crowdfunding campaign to help us build specialised facilities for the species and it is off to a great start!

“It is encouraging that we’ve had so much support for these turtles with $21,000 raised in just over a week, but there is still a long way to go in achieving our goal of $110,000.

“Australians must jump on board to save our native wildlife,” he said.

“Programs like ours can only work with community support,” said Tim Faulkner.

For more information on the crowdfunding campaign visit: Save the Manning River Turtle.

Related Story:

• Rescue Plan for Bum Breather – August 22, 2018.

Manny was rescured from poachers and is the first Manning River Turtle to be part of a breeding program. Photo: Aussie Ark.