In celebration of World Turtle Day, Australia Zoo shared that three female Irwin’s turtles are gravid, carrying a total of 50 eggs.
This reflects their ongoing efforts to protect the species, now officially listed as vulnerable under the Australian Government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
In 1990, Steve Irwin discovered a rare species of freshwater turtle on the Burdekin River in Queensland, which was named in his honour.
Today, habitat destruction and pollution threaten its survival, making this official recognition a critical step in recognising the threats it faces in the wild.
Nick Kuyper, curator of reptiles, amphibians, and birds at Australia Zoo, said, “Since the construction of the Burdekin Falls Dam in 1984, there has been a significant decline in the population of Irwin’s turtle in the lower Burdekin catchment, leaving the future of the species in peril.“
“By studying the physiology of Irwin’s turtle, we see a direct correlation between declining water quality and the turtle’s reduced presence.
“By damming a waterway, we are not only flooding potential nesting sites, but also increasing the sediment load and reducing oxygen levels, all of which negatively impact the turtle,“ he said.
Since 2022, Australia Zoo, in partnership with Wildlife Warriors, has been leading a critical conservation project for Irwin’s turtle, becoming the first zoological facility in the world to provide a home for the species and successfully breed them. This breeding program has established a vital insurance population to safeguard the turtle’s future.
“We currently have an insurance population of 39 turtle hatchlings at Australia Zoo, and the goal is to release them into the wild to support the species’ long-term survival,“ Nick said.
Wildlife conservationist Terri Irwin said, “With Irwin’s turtle now listed as vulnerable on the Australian Government’s threatened species list, we are adding an extra layer of protection to the turtles and their habitat, while continuing our breeding program here at Australia Zoo.“
“We are immensely proud to continue to secure the future of this special turtle that was named after Steve, when he discovered them in 1990.“
