PREVIEW

A conservation group in New South Wales is celebrating a bumper baby boom — and it's all thanks to turtles.

Aussie Ark, based at the Australian Reptile Park in Somersby, has pulled off its most successful breeding season ever, hatching a record-breaking 172 endangered freshwater turtles. It’s the first time all three species in the charity’s care — the Hunter River, Bells, and Manning River turtles — have laid and hatched eggs in the same season.

In what experts are calling a “nationally significant” milestone, dozens of baby turtles have emerged from their eggs under the watchful eye of staff, who couldn’t be more thrilled.

“The egg tally this season is so EGG-citing!” Conservation Ark Operations Manager Billy Collett said. “48 Hunter River Turtle eggs, 39 Bells Turtle eggs and a whopping 85 Manning River Turtle eggs. That’s double the eggs from last season.”

The hatchlings are being raised in a state-of-the-art facility, complete with specially designed nesting platforms and sandboxes that mimic their natural environment. The climate-controlled aquaria have proven to be a haven for the reptiles, whose wild counterparts face increasing threats from predators like foxes, pigs and feral cats.

“Out in the wild, these poor turtles don’t stand a chance,” said Collett. “Predators dig up nests and eat the eggs before they even get a shot at life. We’re giving them that shot.”

Once strong enough, the baby turtles will be released back into the wild rivers they call home — a crucial move for the survival of these rare and remarkable Aussie species.

The conservation win comes as native turtle populations continue to plummet across the country due to habitat destruction, introduced species, and trampling by cattle.

“This work we’re doing at Conservation Ark is absolutely critical for the survival of these species,” Mr Collett said. “We will care for these beautiful little hatchlings until we can one day return them into the wild rivers where they belong.”