ANNUAL TURTLE PILGRIMAGE ABOUT TO START
Published Friday, 19 October, 2007 at 09:46 AM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
One of nature’s most amazing sights - the annual pilgrimage of nesting sea turtles to Mon Repos Conservation Park near Bundaberg – is about to begin.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said around 30,000 visitors come to the park every summer to see the spectacle.
“This is a rare opportunity to get up close to view the nesting and hatching of turtles,” Mr McNamara said.
“Mon Repos Conservation Park supports the largest concentration of nesting sea turtles on the east Australian mainland and the largest loggerhead turtle rookery in the South Pacific.
“At the peak of a prime nesting season, 20 or more female turtles a night come ashore to nest on the 1.5km sandy beach of Mon Repos.
“The sea turtle has nested on parts of Queensland’s coast for thousands of years.
“Nesting turtles at Mon Repos also include the flatback, green and leatherback turtles.
“Visitors can see nesting turtles in the first half of the season, and the hatching events start in January.
“To ensure that everyone has a chance to see the turtles and allow the nesting and hatchings to occur safely, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Bundaberg Regional Tourism have developed an online booking service to cater for demand and make bookings easier.
“Nightly tours guided by rangers and volunteers operate seven days a week, beginning on Monday 5 November, and will run until the end of March.”
Mr McNamara said tour numbers each night are limited, so online or telephone bookings are essential to secure a place.
He said bookings can be made online at www.bookbundabergregion.com.au or by calling (07) 4153 8888.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said around 30,000 visitors come to the park every summer to see the spectacle.
“This is a rare opportunity to get up close to view the nesting and hatching of turtles,” Mr McNamara said.
“Mon Repos Conservation Park supports the largest concentration of nesting sea turtles on the east Australian mainland and the largest loggerhead turtle rookery in the South Pacific.
“At the peak of a prime nesting season, 20 or more female turtles a night come ashore to nest on the 1.5km sandy beach of Mon Repos.
“The sea turtle has nested on parts of Queensland’s coast for thousands of years.
“Nesting turtles at Mon Repos also include the flatback, green and leatherback turtles.
“Visitors can see nesting turtles in the first half of the season, and the hatching events start in January.
“To ensure that everyone has a chance to see the turtles and allow the nesting and hatchings to occur safely, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Bundaberg Regional Tourism have developed an online booking service to cater for demand and make bookings easier.
“Nightly tours guided by rangers and volunteers operate seven days a week, beginning on Monday 5 November, and will run until the end of March.”
Mr McNamara said tour numbers each night are limited, so online or telephone bookings are essential to secure a place.
He said bookings can be made online at www.bookbundabergregion.com.au or by calling (07) 4153 8888.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004