AAP General News (Australia)
12-24-2003
Qld: Old turtle brings new hope for longevity of species
A 60-year-old loggerhead turtle has returned to Queensland to nest, bringing new hope
for the endangered species.
The loggerhead turtle, known as X198, has hauled herself up the beach at Mon Repos,
near Bundaberg in south-east Queensland.
It's her sixth breeding season since she was tagged 29 years ago.
Dr COL LIMPUS from the Environmental Protection Agency says the turtle's return is
good news for scientists.
He says she's been followed longer than any other of her species, and it will help
scientists to work out how the turtles age.
Loggerhead turtles are listed as endangered, with as little as 300 remaining off south-east
Queensland.
Dr LIMPUS says the task for researchers now is to keep the adult turtles alive and
breeding until the younger hatchlings can mature enough to replace them.
AAP RTV rad/jhm/rca
KEYWORD: TURTLE (BRISBANE)
2003 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
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