With World Turtle Day upon us, it’s encouraging to know that a team of scientists in the North-West are celebrating the day by watching a few reptilian friends make their way through the upper reaches of the Northern Murray-Darling Basin.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the $111,500 research project, in partnership with the University of New England, is well underway, as the secret lives of turtles is slowly revealed.

“What better way to celebrate World Turtle Day than to be reminded of the outstanding work done by scientists in our region to study and preserve our local turtle species,” Mr Anderson said.

“A team of four scientists are now monitoring the adventures of Murray River and Broad-Shelled turtles in the Barwon-Darling and Gwydir Rivers, as well as the floodplains.

“With their home on their back, turtles are the ultimate travellers, and their journeys can help us better understand river health and connectivity.

“This research has already revealed incredible things with a single Macquarie River Turtle, named Bilbo, recorded to have travelled 70 kilometres upstream from Gingham Waterhole to Moree.

“I’m thrilled that I was able to be a part of a government that funded this important research project and I look forward to finding out more about the results of the research as it is revealed.”

To learn more about the NSW Governments Surface Water Science projects visit: https://water.dpie.nsw.gov.au/science-data-and-modelling/surface-water