Latest news with #Symbio
Scoop
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Three New Quokkas Arrive At Symbio Wildlife Park – And You Could Help Name Them
Symbio Wildlife Park, in Southern Sydney, is thrilled to welcome three adorable new residents – a trio of quokkas, one male and two females! Fondly known as 'the Happiest Animal on Earth' thanks to their signature cheeky grins, these lovable marsupials are already charming staff and visitors alike. To celebrate their arrival, Symbio is calling on the public to help name the newcomers. Everyone is invited to submit their most creative ideas on Symbio's official social media announcement! But this isn't just about being cute – it's about honouring the cultural and environmental heritage of the quokka's native home in Western Australia. Native to a few small areas in Western Australia, including Rottnest Island, the quokka (Setonix brachyurus) is a small wallaby-like marsupial known for its friendliness and photogenic smile. Despite their cheerful appearance, quokkas are classified as vulnerable due to habitat loss and predation by introduced species such as foxes and feral cats. In their natural habitat, quokkas play an important role in the environment by helping to disperse seeds through their droppings, contributing to the regeneration of native plants. Their presence is also a strong indicator of ecosystem health! You'll find them settling in beautifully in Symbio's Farmyard precinct – so hop on down and be among the first to see them! Symbio Wildlife Park is OPEN all long weekend, from 9.30am - 5.00pm. To submit your name ideas, head to @symbiowildlifepark on Facebook and Instagram and follow the entry instructions. Be quick – entries close June 19th 2025!
Scoop
22-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Critically Endangered Turtle Gets A Leg Up!
Press Release – Symbio Wildlife Park World Turtle Day is a moment to not only raise awareness of the threats facing turtles globally but to also celebrate the progress being made right here in our own backyard, said Jarrad Prangell, Head of Conservation at Symbio Wildlife Park. As World Turtle Day approaches on May 23, Symbio Wildlife Park is celebrating the incredible strides being made in the conservation of one of Australia's most endangered reptiles – the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle (Myuchelys georgesi). Once on the brink of extinction following a devastating outbreak of the Bellinger River Virus (BRV) in 2015 that wiped out up to 90% of the wild population in just six weeks, the future of this unique freshwater turtle looked grim. But thanks to a powerful collaboration between government, zoos, conservationists, and local communities, there is now renewed hope for this species in the wild. Joining the NSW Government's Saving our Species (SOS) emergency response in 2017, Symbio Wildlife Park became one of only two institutions in Australia entrusted with a captive breeding programme for this critically endangered species. Since then, Symbio has built a dedicated quarantine and breeding facility and currently houses 26 turtles, 7 of which were born into the program. These turtles are key to creating a genetically diverse insurance population. 'World Turtle Day is a moment to not only raise awareness of the threats facing turtles globally but to also celebrate the progress being made right here in our own backyard,' said Jarrad Prangell, Head of Conservation at Symbio Wildlife Park. 'The survival of the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle is a team effort, and we're incredibly proud to be part of it.' Together with partners including NSW Government's Saving our Species program and Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Symbio is contributing to a national recovery plan backed by the Australian Government's Threatened Species Action Plan, which has invested over $850,000 into protecting this species. To date, over 170 captive-bred juvenile turtles have been released into the wild under the SOS program, with ongoing monitoring providing essential data on their health, survival, and adaptation to their natural habitat. Each year, Symbio's expert conservation team joins in field surveys along the Bellinger River, working alongside ecologists, veterinarians, and landholders to support both the species and the river ecosystem. Celebrating days like World Turtle Day is vital because it reminds us of the urgent need to protect our planet's most vulnerable species. It's an opportunity to raise awareness, spark meaningful conversations, and inspire collective action for wildlife conservation. By highlighting the challenges and successes of species like the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle, we not only educate and engage the public but also foster a deeper connection to the natural world!
Scoop
22-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Critically Endangered Turtle Gets A Leg Up!
As World Turtle Day approaches on May 23, Symbio Wildlife Park is celebrating the incredible strides being made in the conservation of one of Australia's most endangered reptiles – the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle (Myuchelys georgesi). Once on the brink of extinction following a devastating outbreak of the Bellinger River Virus (BRV) in 2015 that wiped out up to 90% of the wild population in just six weeks, the future of this unique freshwater turtle looked grim. But thanks to a powerful collaboration between government, zoos, conservationists, and local communities, there is now renewed hope for this species in the wild. Joining the NSW Government's Saving our Species (SOS) emergency response in 2017, Symbio Wildlife Park became one of only two institutions in Australia entrusted with a captive breeding programme for this critically endangered species. Since then, Symbio has built a dedicated quarantine and breeding facility and currently houses 26 turtles, 7 of which were born into the program. These turtles are key to creating a genetically diverse insurance population. 'World Turtle Day is a moment to not only raise awareness of the threats facing turtles globally but to also celebrate the progress being made right here in our own backyard,' said Jarrad Prangell, Head of Conservation at Symbio Wildlife Park. 'The survival of the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle is a team effort, and we're incredibly proud to be part of it.' Together with partners including NSW Government's Saving our Species program and Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Symbio is contributing to a national recovery plan backed by the Australian Government's Threatened Species Action Plan, which has invested over $850,000 into protecting this species. To date, over 170 captive-bred juvenile turtles have been released into the wild under the SOS program, with ongoing monitoring providing essential data on their health, survival, and adaptation to their natural habitat. Each year, Symbio's expert conservation team joins in field surveys along the Bellinger River, working alongside ecologists, veterinarians, and landholders to support both the species and the river ecosystem. Celebrating days like World Turtle Day is vital because it reminds us of the urgent need to protect our planet's most vulnerable species. It's an opportunity to raise awareness, spark meaningful conversations, and inspire collective action for wildlife conservation. By highlighting the challenges and successes of species like the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle, we not only educate and engage the public but also foster a deeper connection to the natural world!
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
MissionH24 H24EVO prototype to switch from gaseous to liquid hydrogen storage
The MissionH24 H24EVO prototype is set to undergo a switch from gaseous to liquid hydrogen storage ahead of its final design freeze later this year. The MissionH24 project, led by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), is being pushed forward as a proof of concept for motorsport as the ACO and FIA edge closer to their target of introducing a ruleset that will enable manufacturers to compete with hydrogen-powered prototypes at Le Mans and in the FIA WEC by the end of the decade. Currently, the ruleset is being put together in conjunction with prospective manufacturers, though no target date for the technical regulations to be finalized has yet been disclosed publicly. The H24EVO – the third generation hydrogen prototype produced by MissionH24 – was presented to the public and media in show car form at Le Mans last year in June. Back then it incorporated a pair of tanks for gaseous hydrogen to power its 300kW Symbio fuel cell and in turn its 650 KW (872 hp) electric motor which drives the rear wheels. Now, it will switch technology to match the FIA's shift in direction to liquid hydrogen as a future solution for motorsport applications. This change to the H24EVO will enable between 11 and 14kg of hydrogen to be stored at -253 degrees Celcius in thermally insulated tanks, and increase its driving range by 10 plus minutes to 'at least' 40 minutes. The car's target weight remains at 1300 kg, but the planned top speed has increased to 211.3 mph to help reach the stated performance target of GT3 pace. 'After introducing gaseous hydrogen to the racetrack, MissionH24, with the H24EVO, is now embarking on a crucial new phase with a dual challenge: to engage liquid hydrogen in competition and to rival the competition from conventional combustion engines,' ACO President Pierre Fillon said at this week's 'Hyvolution Paris' exhibition. 'This mission is essential to achieve zero CO2 emission in motor racing.' Along with the shift in storage technology, the timeline for the H24EVO has also been updated. The design of the car is set to be frozen from May 2025, ahead of a second appearance at the Hydrogen Village at Le Mans in June. Later in the year, the car will undergo bench testing in October, before the ADESS-based prototype is fully assembled in February 2026 and track-tested in April. Story originally appeared on Racer
