The Manning River turtle has had it's population decimated over time, but recent conservation efforts have been proving successful. In the four years the species has been surveyed, they have only found one potential nest but no evidence of any eggs surviving. However now there is light! 4 hatchlings estimated at a week old have recently been discovered proving the start of species recovery.

"Finding hatchlings for the first time in four years gives us a good indication of habitat, where they are nesting and breeding successfully," he said.

"It means we can target follow-up surveys there and we can learn a bit more about their nesting and early life stage ecology."

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