Optimising headstarting for freshwater turtles in the Murray River- Angela Simms

Angela will be talking about her PhD project, where sge is trying to answer some questions on the challenges that can be faced with headstarting, in particular for freshwater turtles in the Murray. Her PhD aims to provide insights into using sewage settling ponds as a source population for headstarting, how we care for and maintain the eggs in captivity, and whether new microbiomes are introduced in captivity.  

"Headstarting" is a conservation technique for endangered species, in which young animals are raised artificially and subsequently released into the wild. The technique allows a greater proportion of the young to reach independence, without predation or loss to other natural causes.