white-throated snapping turtles.
Arthur Gorrie
The Mary River basin’s recent environmental and cultural ‘stocktake,’ has begun to yield data, as its results are assessed by organising body, the Burnett Mary Regional Group.
The BMRG is the peak body for natural resource administration in the area from Gympie to Bundaberg.
Researchers taking part in the stocktake spent 10 days navigating the Queensland east coast’s only nortward flowing river, noting flood impacts, endangered plants and animals and looking out for any Aboriginal cultural artefacts.
The group mapped indicators for threatened species, heritage sites and erosion damage or sediment build-up between Kenilworth at Tiaro.
A spokesperson reportedly said evidence of Aboriginal occupation had been found along the whole river, including territorial markings and scar trees, showing where bark had been used for shelter or other purposes.
They also gathered observational information about the Mary River turtle and lungfish, as well as an endangered snapping turtle and species including platypus, mussels and birds.