Original story by Renee Cluff, ABC News
A species of turtle native to the tip of Queensland’s Cape York, the Jardine River turtle, has been officially sighted for the first time in 25 years.
Jardine River Turtle or painted turtle found in Cape York. Indigenous rangers and scientists have trapped 24 Jardine River turtles, which were last documented in 1989. Photo: Rick Gardiner
It was thought the turtle may have been extinct, even though Indigenous locals had unofficially reported some sightings.
But Apudthama rangers and scientists from Origin Energy have trapped 24 Jardine River turtles, which were last documented in 1989.
Peta Standley from the Cape York Natural Resource Management Board said the turtles were found this week in two locations.
“They’re a range of sizes and a range of sexes as well, so now the next thing is trying to get some tracking devices on them and work out where they’re actually going to, because they think they’re nesting at the moment,” she said.
Indigenous head ranger Warren Strevens, who was involved in the rediscovery of the rare turtles in the region, said the reptiles were also known as painted turtles.
“They’re striking to look at,” he said.
“They’re a slender turtle, on the side of their heads, especially around the cheek area they’ve got a bright yellow stripe.
“Then as you go under the throat and down the neck, they’ve got a red stripe there, and all over their chest plate is a crimson red that’s almost fluorescent.
“There’s no doubt they’re a cute animal.”
He said the finds were especially significant for local Aboriginal people.
“They’re definitely sacred to one of the clan groups here,” he said.
“They’ve got a storyline about that turtle as well, so there’s a lot of significance in this find for the local region.”
He said the finds were especially significant for local Aboriginal people.
“They’re definitely sacred to one of the clan groups here,” he said.
“They’ve got a storyline about that turtle as well, so there’s a lot of significance in this find for the local region.”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.