Pig-nosed turtles

The day shines a spotlight on the care, conservation and awareness of turtles.

Since 2015, through a joint initiative between the University of Canberra and funding support from ExxonMobil PNG, the Nature Park was involved in world-first research, measuring the growth rates of the pig-nosed turtle species.

The ‘Head Start’ program for pig-nosed turtles or ‘Piku’ turtles is the first of its kind in PNG that aimed at slowing the disappearance of pig-nosed turtles from the wildlife.

This brings the total number of turtles released by the Nature Park to 45.  

The release wraps up a five-year conservation project managed by the Nature Park and funded by ExxonMobil PNG Limited (EMPNG) in collaboration with the Piku Biodiversity Network, University of Canberra and Wau Creek Conservation Area. This was the final release of turtles that were taken into the care of the Park, with 15 turtles released in September of the previous year.