This species continues to be unpredictable.A new clutch was found on Thursday morning 19th January….most seasons laying is finished by the end of December. Many of the first clutches laid this season have already hatched.
Today, we protected another 2 clutches of eggs laid by Mary River turtles last evening. Those laid at the beginning of the season have already hatched!!
On Saturday, December 10, Ron and Marilyn rescued a clutch from rising flood waters. 12 eggs were relocated to the top of the nesting bank. To our surprise when checking the banks on Wednesday December 21, we discovered all 12 eggs had hatched and were on their way to the river. Check out this rare wild footage captured today.
Have a preview of the amazing bronze Mary River turtle sculpture as part of Tiaro Landcare’s ‘Exclusive & Elusive’ exhibition at Gatakers ArtSpace, Kent St., Maryborough for the month of Dec. An exhibition of photographs, carapaces, aluminum turtles, DVD Sharing Mary a long fat turtle tale etc – including life size images of a lungfish (1.7m) & Mary River Cod (1.5m).
Visit our stall at the Festival organised by Scales & Tails on 12th Nov at Ipswich Exhibition Grounds.
Spring rains have created ideal nesting conditions. So far, 13 clutches have been protected which will greatly improve the chances of the embryos developing until the little hatchlings emerge.
Tiaro Landcares’ Catch & Release Fishing Competition is on again this year at Petrie Park, Tiaro. A fun weekend for families. 28th & 29th Oct. Free camping. Tiaro Lions BBQ & bar on site.Music Sat night. $1,000 lucky draw – 1pm Sunday. Proceeds go to help fund conservation of endangered species of the Mary River.
University of Qld researchers and Tiaro Landcare volunteers spent 3 days downloading data from hydrophones and actively tracking tagged juvenile turtles. One juvenile was located which hadn’t been ‘heard’ of since July!! Must have been hiding. Thanks to support from Yamaha which ‘speeded up’ locating the turtles. 
In preparation for this season’s nesting, members of Tiaro Landcare fenced one of the main nesting banks to help keep cattle from trampling nests. 
Scales & Tails Australia magazine features an article ‘Tiaro turns it on for turtles’ in the September 2011 edition. Get a copy from your nearest Pet Store or newsagent.