Bellinger river snapping turtle
Breed to release
Bellinger River Snapping Turtle - Breed to Release and Monitoring Program
Species: Bellinger River Snapping Turtle
Scientific Name: Myuchelys georgisi
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
The Bellinger River Snapping Turtle, known locally as the Georges Turtle in honour of researcher Arthur Georges, inhabits the mid-north coast region’s Bellinger River. This critically endangered species faced near-extinction in 2015 when a newly discovered virus, the Bellinger River Virus (BRV), devastated its population. Within a span of just six weeks, the virus eliminated an estimated 90% of the wild population, leaving only 100 to 200 individuals in their natural habitat.
In response to this crisis, the NSW Government’s Saving our Species (SOS) program launched an emergency recovery initiative, placing 16 healthy turtles into a conservation breeding program at Taronga Zoo. In 2017, Symbio Wildlife Park joined the program, establishing a second breeding population to support recovery efforts. Together, Taronga Conservation Society Australia and Symbio Wildlife Park are part of a multidisciplinary team working to secure a future for the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle. This collaborative effort includes reptile experts, disease specialists, and conservationists dedicated to saving this unique species.
Since joining the program, Symbio has constructed a specialised quarantine and breeding facility, where 19 juvenile turtles – representing around 10% of the remaining wild population – now reside. These turtles, known as founder animals, are essential to establishing a genetic reservoir and insurance population. Symbio achieved significant breeding milestones, contributing captive-bred juveniles to future release efforts.
The Saving our Species program has so far released over 170 captive-bred juvenile turtles back into the Bellinger River. Each release is carefully monitored to assess survival rates, health, dispersal patterns, and habitat usage, gathering valuable insights into the species’ ability to thrive in its natural environment.
In addition to captive breeding, the SOS program includes habitat restoration in the upper Bellinger River, a citizen science program monitoring water quality, and extensive research into the virus and the turtle’s genetic diversity and population dynamics. Partnering with the Australian Registry of Wildlife Health, NSW Department of Primary Industries, and other stakeholders, these initiatives aim to secure the turtle’s future against environmental threats.
The Australian Government has prioritized the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle’s recovery as part of its Threatened Species Action Plan, contributing over $850,000 to support conservation actions. The program benefits from the support of many dedicated partners, including the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Symbio Wildlife Park, and private landholders in the Bellingen area.
Each year, Symbio Wildlife Park’s conservation team collaborates with NSW OEH, SOS, Taronga Conservation Society, and other partners to conduct field surveys along the Bellinger River, advancing scientific understanding and supporting the survival of this iconic species in the wild. Our efforts continue to evolve as we refine breeding and release practices, with the ultimate goal of restoring the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle to a thriving, self-sustaining population in its natural habitat.
