Bellinger River Snapping Turtle response

The Bellinger River Snapping Turtle (Myuchelys georgesi) is endemic to a 70km stretch of the Bellinger River in northern NSW.

In February 2015, a significant mortality event of Bellinger River Snapping Turtles occurred, with affected turtles presenting with emaciation, acute inflammatory lesions of the eyes and sinuses causing blindness, and fatal internal organ necrosis.

A multi-agency response took place in February and March 2015, and subsequently an ongoing Bellinger River Snapping Turtle Management Program.

• Bellinger River Snapping Turtle Management Plan (PDF, 287.0 KB)
  
• CVO advice to veterinarians: Deaths in Bellinger River Snapping Turtles (PDF, 652.3 KB)
  
• CVO alert: Enhanced surveillance for disease in turtles (PDF, 402.9 KB)
  
• Factsheet: Bellinger river turtle deaths (PDF, 499.9 KB)
  
• Keep a ‘clean’ routine: Bellinger River Snapping Turtle mortality