Mary River Turtle, Elusor macrurus

Problem:
The Mary River Turtle is found only in the Mary River, Queensland. Over the last twenty years, water quality in this river has been diminished by commercial sand-mining, siltation, agricultural run-off and other forms of pollution.

Background Information:
As early as 1960, Sydney-based freshwater turtle expert John Cann suspected that hatchlings of this turtle, commonly for sale in pet shops, might represent a new species.  A fully grown specimen was not seen until 1987.  Its habitat was pin-pointed to the Mary River and it was described formally in 1994.  The Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage and the University of Queensland are currently assessing its status and ecology.

Solution:
Research the species. Maintain viable populations within reserves. Educate landholders about how impacts on the species outside reserves can be reduced.  Monitor water quality within the Mary River.

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