Hunter Local Land Services is working closely with local volunteers and other agencies to help save the endangered Manning River helmeted turtle.
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The recent effects of drought and fire exacerbated threats to the species' survival, restricting turtles to smaller pools of water, with reduced resources, poor water quality and greater exposure to predators.
After bushfires affected parts of the catchment, Hunter Local Land Services (HLLS) recently undertook a camera monitoring program to see what wildlife frequented the area, particularly in the area around Bobin.
"Unfortunately, the camera images revealed a number of foxes and other pests including wild dogs in the catchment area," HLLS biosecurity team leader, Luke Booth said.
"As part of fire recovery efforts in the Manning Great Lakes we are planning a co-ordinated ground and aerial control program in the district that has been supported by funds from the Australian government's National Landcare Program.
"It's important to give surviving wildlife the best opportunity to recover, and the current conditions make it ideal time to remove pests such as foxes," Mr Booth said.
For the turtle, foxes pose a significant threat from predation and raiding of nests, while habitat disturbance from loss of vegetation and impacts from stock access also pose considerable threats.
Other fauna that are under pressure from pests in fire impacted areas include the threatened brush-tailed rock wallaby, koala, Hastings River mouse and rufous scrub-bird.
HLLS has incentive funding available to landholders in the mid-upper reaches of the Manning River to undertake works on their property to improve land management, including along river banks.
Interested landholders can find out more by visiting the State government Local Land Services incentives, funding and scholarships page.
Landholders who believe they have suitable habitat and are willing to have their waterways surveyed for the Manning River turtle, can contact Andrew Steed from the Department of Department of Primary Industries (DPIE) and Environment on 6559 8276, or HLLS staff Reegan Walker or Rye Gollan (in the Taree LLS office) on 6553 4233.
Through the Every Bit Counts project, HLLS is targeting smaller landholders (2-80 hectares) in these priority areas to identify key habitat areas of the Manning River turtle and conduct further motion-camera monitoring for the presence of pests species such as foxes that pose a major threat.
Manning River helmeted turtles have a distinct yellow stripe along the jaw and neck line, along with two short barbels (whisker-like protrusions under their chin).
Unlike the commonly seen Eastern long-neck turtle, the Manning River turtle will almost exclusively spend their time in the waterways and are unlikely to be seen crossing large distances overland.
HLLS has been working actively with the Manning River Turtle Conservation Group, Aussie Ark, MidCoast Council and DPIE, to promote awareness and education surrounding this ancient turtle.
There has also been strong community support to protect this local icon and ensure its long term survival.
If anyone believes they have seen a Manning River turtle, they are encouraged to try and take a photo and report it to Andrew Steed from the biodiversity and conservation division at DPIE on 0497 097 834 or 6659 8276, or email andrew.steed@environment.nsw.gov.au.
This project is supported by HLLS through funding from the Australian government's National Landcare Program.
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