In the race to extinction

In the race to extinction among all large groups of well-known animals, turtles hold the lead with about half of their more than 300 species threatened with extinction (Turtle Taxonomy Working Group 2010). The Turtle Conservation Coalition have recently published “Turtles in Trouble: The World’s 25+ Most Endangered Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles 2011″. www.iucn-tftsg.org/trouble/. The Mary River turtle, Elusor macrurus is ranked at 41 and included in the group “Turtles at High Risk of Extinction”. This report acknowledges the dedicated conservation efforts of Tiaro & District Landcare Group.

Mariana wins Best Student Presentation Award

There was much cheering from the ‘Australian/Brazilian’ contingent when PhD candidate, Mariana Micheli-Campbell was announced the winner of the Best Student Presentation Award at the 9th Annual Symposium on Conservation & Biology of Tortoises & Freshwater Turtles in Orlando, Florida. It is a credit to the quality of her research and the support from her supervisors at the University of Qld, Eco-lab & Tiaro Landcare Group. Anders Rhodin, Chair of the IUCN Turtle & Tortoise Specialist Group spoke highly of her research into the impacts of incubation temperatures on the behaviour of hatchlings.

Adult female Mary River turtle tracked at 7.4m deep

Researchers from the University of Queensland are conducting a tracking program of Mary River turtles. An adult female has been recorded at 7.4m ..this means she is hanging around on the bed of the river …..no wonder they are hard to find in the river..How long will she stay there? What food is there? Many questions to answer.

Tiaro Farming & Lifestyle Field Day

Title: Tiaro Farming & Lifestyle Field Day
Location: Recreation Grounds, Inman Street, Tiaro.
Description: An informative & entertaining day in the country with talks & demonstrations – Grow your own fruit trees & veges; Cyberspace identity theft; Cattle husbandry; dog agility; horse riding – displays by community groups, businesses, government agencies. Food stalls & kids activities.
$3 for adults; children free.

Start Time: 09.00
Date: 2011-06-25
End Time: 14.00