Latest news with #BurnettMaryRegionalGroup
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Experts encourage innovative method to combat invasive fish devastating local ecosystems: 'It's a real natural, sustainable solution'
Invasive tilapia have been threatening endangered cod populations in Australia's Mary River, but experts say the cod are biting back, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported. Conservationists from Burnett Mary Regional Group performed a routine survey in April, which involved catching and testing some of the region's Mary River cod. Researchers were pleased to discover traces of tilapia in two of the cods' mouths and also documented an 80-centimeter (31.5-inch) cod eating a 40-cm (15.75-in) tilapia. In other words, despite the fact that the tilapia are not native to the area and the cod haven't evolved to eat them, the endangered native fish have adapted and are eating them anyway. "There was always the hope and suspicion that [the cod] were eating everything," BMRG CEO Tom Espinoza said. "It's provided a lot of hope for people that are invested in healthy cod populations across the board. … Hopefully in 10, 15, 20 years' time, we've got a population of large cod that can do the rest of the job themselves. It's a real natural, sustainable solution." This is encouraging news, because as matters stand, the tilapia are a serious problem. They're invasive — meaning they came to the area from another region and thrived so well that it's damaging the ecosystem — and they eat the eggs and young of not only cod but also other endangered species such as the "bum-breathing" Mary River turtle, Australian lungfish, and white-throated snapping turtle. Because the tilapia have spread to 26 of Queensland's 67 catchments, it's considered impossible for humans to eradicate them. Left unchecked, they could destroy the native species in the river, damaging the ecosystem that both people and wildlife rely on. However, steps have been taken to control the population. For example, tilapia are being harvested to use as fertilizer for native plants. Now that it appears cod are also eating the tilapia, there's a chance to achieve a new healthy balance. Should we be actively working to kill invasive species? Absolutely It depends on the species I don't know No — leave nature alone Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
ABC News
23-04-2025
- Science
- ABC News
Nests of endangered 'bum-breathing' white-throated snapping turtles found in new Baffle Creek habitat
A newly discovered population of endangered turtles found only in a small collection of Queensland waterways is not only surviving but seems to be thriving. Researchers have discovered several breeding sites of white-throated snapping turtles at Baffle Creek, about 400 kilometres north of Brisbane. The turtles, Elseya albagula , were thought to only live in the Mary, Burnett, and Fitzroy Rivers in Queensland and are known for their unique trait of "bum breathing" — absorbing oxygen through the anus. Researchers are optimistic about the white-throated snapping turtle species' future. ( Supplied: Burnett Mary Regional Group ) The catchment areas stretching from the Sunshine Coast to Rockhampton offer clear, well-oxygenated river systems with submerged boulders and log jams for shelter and sandy banks for nesting. Two years ago, researchers with the Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) were shocked The Baffle Creek catchment is a long way from the established populations in the Mary, Burnett, and Fitzroy Rivers. ( ABC News ) They have now found five more turtles and several nesting sites. "The habitat is now facilitating breeding — that's really exciting, really positive," research manager Sydney Collett said. Ms Collett said their "two-phase incubation style" put the animals at risk because eggs were laid in winter and did not hatch until summer. Sydney Collett is part of the group that found the new population in Baffle Creek and the nesting sites. ( Supplied: BMRG ) "That means that for four, five, six months, they're really at risk of [predators] getting to them," she said. "The chances of them surviving the nesting period are really low. "They have similar rates to the sea turtles in that about 90 per cent of the nests that they lay in a season will be predated, trampled, or flooded." Ms Collett said it was unusual for clutches to survive without human intervention. "Maybe they just don't have foxes with very good smell or vision [at Baffle Creek]. I'm not entirely sure." Around 90 per cent of nests will be destroyed, thereby limiting hatchlings' survival rates. ( Supplied: Burnett Mary Regional Group ) 'Robust and resilient' Marilyn Connell has been involved in conservation work for freshwater turtles in the Mary River for 20 years. She said another reason why white-throated snapping turtles were endangered was that hatchlings took 15–20 years to mature. Marilyn Connell says discovering more freshwater turtles is positive news. ( ABC Wide Bay: Lucy Loram ) "There are lots of opportunities — like 20 years — for something to go wrong," she said. Ms Connell said finding new nests in new locations was positive news. "It's quite a special turtle species and we're really lucky to have it," she said. "If we didn't protect nests, which we can do quite successfully now, the recruitment would just be basically next to zero. "Even though their numbers are in decline, they are still very robust and resilient. They seem to be able to hang on even at much lower numbers." Researchers take genetic samples to learn more about the new population. ( Supplied: Burnett Mary Regional Group ) New location still a mystery Ms Collett said it was still a mystery how the population ended up in the Baffle Creek catchment in the first place. "It's hard to figure out how they would have gotten there naturally because they'd be walking several hundred kilometres if they were coming from another catchment," she said. The group found nesting sites and new turtles in the Baffle Creek catchment in March 2025. ( Supplied: Burnett Mary Regional Group ) Ms Collett said it was possible the turtles had been raised as pets and released into the catchment. "But there have been extensive surveys of the Baffle catchment, and they've never found them before," she said. " Maybe they weren't so critically endangered as we originally thought. " ABC Wide Bay — local news in your inbox Get our local newsletter, delivered free each Thursday Your information is being handled in accordance with the Email address Subscribe
