Turtles found buried in metres of mud returned to rejuvenated wetland

The first turtles rescued from a dried-out wetland in north-west NSW are back in their natural habitat, with a new generation of turtle hatchlings expected to join them later this year.Ten broad-shelled turtles and three Murray River turtles were released at Gingham Waterhole in the Gwydir Wetlands in September by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).They were among 39 rescued from the waterhole after it dried out in April, and taken to Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo for rehabilitation.Turtles covered in mud, saved from the Gwydir Wetlands by UNE ecologists in April 2026 (Supplied: Debbie Bower)Senior keeper James Witcombe said seeing the first reptiles return to a refilled wetland after months in care was a significant moment."It's the kind of moment that we as zookeepers and conservationists live for, to see something that's a pretty devastating reality turn into a much better future," he said."To see that first group of 13 returning to their wetland and seeing photos of the wetland full of beautiful water and invertebrates returning to that space, it really is a special moment."The 13 turtles were returned to Gingham Waterhole as part of a staged release in September. (Supplied: DCCEEW)From mud to recoveryThe turtles were found burrowed deep in the mud, after Water NSW temporarily suspended environmental water flows to the wetlands earlier this year.Mr Witcombe said the 39 reptiles arrived in Dubbo covered in thick mud and underwent comprehensive health assessments, while keepers quickly adapted the purpose-built platypus conservation centre to accommodate them."They were all covered in dense, filthy mud, so we set up a bit of a production line to get them all cleaned off and identified," he said.Keepers and veterinarians monitored the turtles' recovery, regularly weighing them and providing plenty of food to improve their condition after they experienced stress in the drying wetland.Once the turtles were healthy enough, keepers lowered the water temperature to mimic winter conditions and provided UV lamps and basking areas to give the light they needed."Despite a couple of headaches at the start, we started to see things turning around quite quickly," he said.The rescued turtles spent several months in care at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo. (Supplied: DCCEEW)A new generationThe initial health checks also revealed 14 female broad-shelled turtles were carrying eggs.Because broad-shelled turtles usually lay their eggs during rainy conditions, keepers instead induced egg-laying.Now more than 250 turtle eggs are sitting in an incubator at the Dubbo zoo.Most of the female broad-shelled turtles arrived at the zoo carrying eggs. (Supplied: DCCEEW)"We will still see a very large percentage of those make it to hatching stage," Mr Witcombe said.The hatchlings could provide an important boost to the population, with foxes and other feral pests known to dig up the subterranean turtle nests at the Gingham Waterhole."It would be really great to see this next generation coming through, which probably hasn't happened in the last five or six years properly," Mr Witcombe said.The young turtles are expected to be released into the wild by the end of next year.Water returns to the wetlandsBefore: Gingham Waterhole in April 2026.. . After: Gingham Waterhole in September 2026.. .Instructions: Use left and right arrow keys to control image transition Before and after imagesSLIDE Gingham Waterhole in April 2026. / Gingham Waterhole in September 2026.Environmental flows resumed in late May and refilled Gingham Waterhole, allowing the staged return of the turtles to begin.DCCEEW executive director of conservation programs Ingrid Emery said the reptiles were being selectively released."They are being returned progressively over the coming months as the conditions allow and as they're healthy enough to do so," she said."We are seeing the ecosystem recover out there," she said.Environmental water deliveries had been suspended earlier this year amid concerns about inundation of neighbouring private property.Wildlife specialists rescued the turtles as Gingham Waterhole dried out earlier this year. (Supplied: DCCEEW)Ms Emery said the department was working with landholders and an environmental water advisory group to plan future water deliveries."We're planning to use our environmental water to maintain refuge habitat, because we know we are going into a dry period," she said.The released turtles will not be individually tracked, but Ms Emery said ongoing ecological monitoring would help the department assess the health of the wetland and plan future water management.