Year 5 students learn about aquatic species conservation at Currency Creek (SA)

Year 5 students from Investigator College spent a fun-filled, hands-on day on the River at Currency Creek learning about local turtles and fish, and their conservation.

Over 50% of the world’s turtle and tortoise species are threatened with extinction. In Australia, there are 20 species of freshwater turtle, and during this event, the focus was on the three species of freshwater turtle that occur in SA, all of which are becoming increasingly vulnerable.

They are the Murray Short-necked Turtle (Thukabi – Ngarrindjeri name), Eastern Long-necked Turtle (Malinthaipari – Ngarrindjeri name) and Broad-shelled Turtle.

Students had the opportunity to work alongside NGT senior ecologist Dr Sylvia Zukowski, and Investigator College teacher John Freebairn, retrieving fyke nets and then helping to identify the aquatic species – so a great day was had by all.