Manning River Turtle

• Slow Reproduction: Females lay only a small number of eggs each season, meaning the population cannot quickly recover from losses.
• Water Pollution: Runoff from farms and towns carries sediment, chemicals, and excess nutrients into the river system, degrading water quality and affecting food supply, nesting sites, and breeding success.
• Habitat Destruction: Clearing of riverbanks for agriculture and urban development has destroyed critical feeding and nesting areas. Modifications to waterways have reduced the sheltered, calm-water habitats the species depends on.
• Invasive Predators: Foxes and feral pigs dig up nests and eat eggs, while pest fish and other non-native aquatic species compete for resources.
• Restricted Range: Because the species is found only within a small river system, any major environmental change—such as drought, pollution events, or habitat loss—poses an immediate and severe threat to survival.

Aussie Ark is working to secure the future of the Manning River Turtle, a species found only in a small part of New South Wales.

• Captive Breeding: We breed Manning River Turtles in purpose-built facilities, raising hatchlings in safe, controlled environments until they are large enough to have a better chance of survival.
• Rewilding: Once strong enough, these hatchlings are released back into their natural river habitats, boosting wild populations and strengthening the species’ future.
• Monitoring & Research: We track turtle movements, nesting success, and river health to guide and refine our conservation action.

Together, these efforts are giving the Manning River Turtle the chance to recover and remain a vital part of Australia’s river systems for generations to come.