PREVIEW

A group of adorable baby turtles – some no bigger than a 50-cent coin – have passed their first official health checks at an Australian zoo, giving conservationists fresh hope in the battle to save three endangered freshwater species from extinction.

The pint-sized hatchlings, which are part of Aussie Ark’s ambitious breeding and rewilding program, were given routine check-ups to assess their weight and body condition – and every single one got a glowing report.

The program is focused on the Manning River Turtle, Bell’s Turtle and Hunter River Turtle – ancient creatures that have roamed Australia’s waterways for millions of years. This season has been a record-breaker, with 172 eggs laid – double last year’s total – resulting in dozens of feisty little hatchlings now thriving at the Conservation Ark facility, on the grounds of the Australian Reptile Park in Somersby, NSW.

The turtles, now about four months old, weigh just 10-15 grams depending on the species – but don’t be fooled by their tiny size. Conservationists describe them as “teeny but feisty little dinosaurs” whose lineage stretches back to prehistoric times.

“These turtles are ancient survivors,” said Conservation Ark Supervisor Ruby Hawling. “They’ve roamed our rivers for millions of years, but they’re now at breaking point. Every single hatchling we raise brings hope for the species' survival. And yes, they’re also incredibly cute!”

She added: “It’s such a joy for me to work at Conservation Ark and look after these hatchlings; it’s an amazing program. Juvenile turtles are so cute! They’re so inquisitive. And each one is unique.”

Sadly, these remarkable reptiles are on the brink of extinction in the wild, with feral predators like foxes and pigs destroying nests and devouring both eggs and baby turtles. Aussie Ark intervenes by collecting and incubating eggs, then caring for the hatchlings until they’re strong enough to survive on their own before being released back into their natural rivers.

The hatchlings will continue to be weighed and monitored every month, with their first wild release planned for this Spring – a crucial step in giving these ancient survivors a fighting chance.