New population of white-throated snapping turtles discovered in Baffle Creek

Researchers have discovered a new population of white-throated snapping turtles north of Bundaberg which they say is significant for the conservation of the endangered species.

Three white-throated snapping turtles were discovered in Baffle Creek by researchers from the Burnett Mary Regional Group.

A critically endangered turtle has been found in a new location north of Bundaberg, in an “exhilarating” discovery that researchers say is significant for the survival of the species.

Three white-throated snapping turtles were found in the Baffle Creek, about 50km south of Agnes Water and 80km north of Bundaberg, by researchers from the Burnett Mary Regional Group.

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Listed as critically endangered since 2014, the turtle had previously only been found in the Fitzroy, Burnett and Mary Rivers.

The white-throated snapping turtle has been listed as critically endangered since 2014, and had previously only been found in the Fitzroy, Burnett and Mary Rivers.

The discovery of the turtle population including two males and a female in a previously undocumented location is significant for the conservation of the species.

“The significance of finding three of the turtles is there’s potentially a self-sustaining population of a critically endangered species,” research director Tom Espinoza said.

“It extends the area we now know the species inhabits and genetically it could be very important.”

Project officers Benjamin Hoekstra and Sydney Collett found the turtles at Baffle Creek while conducting a survey of the waterway’s wildlife.

The researchers hauled in a net containing 22 turtles, three of which were the white-throated snapping turtles.

Burnett Mary Regional Group project officer Sydney Collett has a “soft spot” for the critically endangered turtles that she is hopeful are becoming more secure due to this discovery.

“I think we knew that whatever was in the net was going to be a significant find because it was so heavy with turtles,” Ms Collett said.

“That was really positive, and we’d been hanging on for that moment.

“But to then see a white-throated snapping turtle was a really great moment.”

Ms Collett specialised in the white-throated snapping turtle in her Honours at Charles Darwin University, and has a “soft spot” for this species.

“They’re really sweet and gentle, and they’ve got such a lovely personality to them,” she said.

When handling the female turtle Ms Collett was encouraged by her size and overall health, including signs of having recently laid eggs.

“It gives you good hope for a potential breeding population, which would be tremendous for the species,” she said.

Mr Hoekstra said the discovery of the turtles was a career-defining moment.

Project officer Benjamin Hoekstra said the "exhilarating" discovery was the highlight of his professional career.

“It’s a highlight of my professional career and a moment that will resonate with me for quite some time,” he said.

Next steps for the research term include a more comprehensive study of the three turtles in an environment rare for being without any major dams or weirs nearby.

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“The (Baffle Creek) catchment has a lot of value because it’s one of the only rivers on the east coast of Australia that doesn’t have any major water infrastructure on it.”

Colloquially termed a “bum-breather” for its ability to absorb oxygen through its anus while submerged in water, the white-throated snapping turtle is Australia’s largest freshwater turtle and is known to live for up to 100 years.

The turtle is sacred to the Taribelang Bunda indigenous community, traditional owners of the Bundaberg region as far north as Baffle Creek.