BELLINGER RIVER SNAPPING TURTLE . It has a broad yellow stripe along each side of the face and neck and a yellowish plastron with dark outlines on the edges of the shields. The Bellinger River Snapping Turtle (Myuchelys georgesi) is a species of short-necked freshwater turtle in the family Chelidae and is iconic to the Bellinger River, NSW.Previously known as Elseya georgesi, the Bellinger River turtle was first observed by John Cann in 1971, the Bellinger River Snapping is restricted to only a 25 kilometre stretch of the Bellinger River. Bellinger River snapping turtle hatchlings. More particularly, they are restricted to the middle and upper stretches of the Manning River catchment area. The Manning River helmeted turtle, is found only on the mid north coast of NSW. Diet This blog summarises the research and conservation efforts to bring it back from the brink of extinction. Very few adults remain in the wild. The BRST is endemic to a 70km stretch of the Bellinger River (Figure 1). Mysterious illness wiping out turtles A mysterious and deadly virus is setting the Bellinger River snapping turtle on a bleak trajectory toward extinction By … (Image: Paul Fahy/Taronga Zoo) Michael McFadden, supervisor of herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians) at Taronga Zoo, said the breeding success was exciting for the recovery team. “We’re extremely happy with this result. A summary to the crisis that is currently occurring in the Bellinger River. The Bellinger River Snapping Turtle (Myuchlys georgesi) is only found in a 70 kilometre section of the Bellinger River (and Kalang River) in Northern NSW.A 2007 survey estimated the total population of this species at 1500- 4500. These Bellinger River Snapping Turtles were virtually wiped out in 2015 when an unknown virus spread through the river system in northern NSW. Bellinger River Snapping Turtle Management Program. Background Since February 2015, a significant mortality event has been observed for the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle (Myuchelys georgesi) (BRST) in the Bellinger River, northern NSW. The Bellinger River Snapping Turtle (BRST) (Myuchelys georgesi) is a freshwater turtle endemic to a 60 km stretch of the Bellinger River, and possibly a portion of the nearby Kalang River in coastal north eastern New South Wales (NSW). Key points: Ten critically endangered Bellinger River snapping turtles have been returned to their natural habitat in the Bellinger catchment, which is the only place they are found on Earth The Bellinger Snapping turtle (Myuchelys georgesi) is at risk of extinction. Bellinger River turtle (Myuchelys georgesi) This species is restricted to the Bellinger River system on the NSW mid-north coast. Prior to the disease outbreak, the species was only known from a 60 km stretch of the Bellinger River. It’s another omnivore, eating plants as well as a variety of aquatic insects. Predation of nests and nesting females by foxes. In mid-February, 2015 a significant mortality event was observed in BRSTs. They are found in relatively shallow, clear, continuously fast-flowing rivers with rocky and sandy substrates. April 2015 . Hybridisation is known to occur with the Murray River turtle Emydura macquarii. Have you ever seen a cuter turtle!? Most affected animals died A small number of animals are known to remain in the wild.