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). Prior to the disease outbreak, the species was only known from a 60 km stretch of the Bellinger River. A summary to the crisis that is currently occurring in the Bellinger River. This in turn will provide benefit for the Bellinger River snapping Turtle as well as the myriad species that depend upon the river. The Bellinger River Snapping Turtle is found in only one place on earth - a near pristine 60 kilometre stretch of the river on the Mid North Coast of NSW. The Bellinger River snapping turtle that was almost wiped out by a virus in 2015 is now on the road to recovery, with 35 new hatchlings. External Links Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group 1996. 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). The Bellinger Snapping turtle (Myuchelys georgesi) is at risk of extinction. Hybridisation is known to occur with the Murray River turtle Emydura macquarii. Downloaded on 29 July 2007. Taronga Zoo have had an incredibly successful year of breeding for the critically endangered Bellinger River snapping turtle, with a total of 35 hatchlings. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In the first year of … A small number of animals are known to remain in the wild. Description The Bellinger River snapping turtle is a medium sized freshwater turtle with a shell length up to 185 mm in males and 250 mm in females. The Bellinger Snapping turtle (Myuchelys georgesi) is at risk of extinction. The short-necked freshwater turtle species is endemic* to the Bellinger River on the mid north coast of NSW and was almost completely wiped out in 2015 by a virus in the river. Within the Bellinger River system, where the species is endemic, it is most easily distinguished from other species by a shell underside (plastron) This in turn will provide benefit for the Bellinger River snapping Turtle as well as the myriad species that depend upon the river. University of Western Sydney zoologist, Dr Ricky Spencer says over 90 percent of the turtle's home range is affected and the disease appears to have 100 percent mortality. Most affected animals died Very few adults remain in the wild. Taronga Zoo have had an incredibly successful year of breeding for the critically endangered Bellinger River snapping turtle, with a total of 35 hatchlings. A summary to the crisis that is currently occurring in the Bellinger River. By following the tips from the ‘Help Our Rivers Thrive’ Campaign, the community can help improve the habitat in the Bellinger River and the other waterways within the catchment. It is endemic to Australia. Predation of nests and nesting females by foxes. The Bellinger River snapping turtle (Myuchelys georgesi) is a species of turtle in the Chelidae family. The future of Australia’s critically endangered Bellinger River snapping turtle is a little more secure after 35 baby turtles hatched at Taronga Zoo in NSW. This blog summarises the research and conservation efforts to bring it back from the brink of extinction. To coincide with the recent World Turtle Day, Dr Spencer said worldwide freshwater turtles are disproportionately represented on the IUCN global list of endangered species – 62 percent of species are either threatened or endangered. By following the tips from the ‘Help Our Rivers Thrive’ Campaign, the community can help improve the habitat in the Bellinger River and the other waterways within the catchment. 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 River Snapping Turtle is unfortunately not the only turtle species under serious threat. 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. Elseya georgesi. Bellinger River Snapping Turtle Public Information Session - 630 Nov 2015 | P a g e Ricky Spencer: We are looking at possible causes including environmental conditions in the catchment, but we don’t want to speculate until we know more information. In mid-February, 2015 a significant mortality event was observed in BRSTs.