Rescue Plan for Bum Breather

THE conservation team from the Aussie Ark, located on the Barrington Tops are set to rescue Australia’s oldest turtle the the Manning River turtle more widely known as the “bum breather”.

The endangered turtle is believed to have existed in Australia for more than 55 million years and earned the title of bum breather because approximately 50 percent of its oxygen is absorbed through its bum and tail.

The team from the Ark have joined forces with the Australian Reptile Park to kick off a crowdfunding campaign which aims to raise $110,000, said Tim Faulkner president of the Aussie Ark.

“We’re thrilled with the start of our crowdfunding campaign,” said Mr Faulkner.

“It’s encouraging that we’re off to a strong start with the crowdfunding with almost $5,000 raised in under 24 hours, but there is still a way to go in achieving our goal of $110,000 and we hope the rest of Australia, and the world, will continue to rally behind us,” he said.

“As a registered charity, Aussie Ark largely relies on external support from project partners and the general public to maintain the facility,” he said.

“We’re eternally thankful for all those who donate and are constantly putting a call out to protect our Aussie species like the Manning River turtle,” he said.

“Freshwater turtles are often looked past when it comes to conservation funding, so we wanted to bring to light this little known, yet important Aussie species,” Tim Faulkner said.

More information at www.aussieark.org.au

An endangered Manning Turtle.