World Turtle Day 🐢💚

Australia is home to around 30 species of freshwater turtles, each playing an important role in our river and wetland ecosystems. One of the most unique is the Mary River turtle 🐢Found only in Queensland’s Mary River 🐢Can breathe through specialised cloacal (bum..) “respiration” while underwater 🐢Known for its distinctive “punk-like” green algae growth on its head in the wild 🐢Once thought to be extinct and is now critically endangered Freshwater turtles are vital to healthy waterways, helping recycle nutrients, maintain balance in aquatic ecosystems, meaning they act as indicators of environmental health. Today is a reminder that protecting turtles means protecting the rivers they call home 💚