Turtles Stranded in Drying Mud: NSW Water Crisis

0:00Water NSW suddenly cut off environmental flows to the Goodyear wetlands near Moree and New South Wales, sparking a major ecological mess. Hundreds of turtles got stranded in drying mud, with many dying, while birds fled their nests and frogs, plus sheep got bogged down. Researchers from the University of New England call it an incomprehensible disaster in these vital ramsar listed sites. The cut off happened after a complaint from a local landholder, even though water sits ready in Copaton Dam. Scientists have dug out over 300 turtles so far, rescuing 40 in the last four days alone, thigh deep and muck. 39 of those went straight to Taranga Zoo in Dubbo for care. Experts like conservation biologists, Professor Deb Bauer, are furious, saying it's perverse to pay for rescues when the government holds back the water. That could save everything. A local grazier and conservationist described dead chicks, eggs, and 90% of frogs wiped out, calling it heartbreaking after generations of, protecting these spots.

1:03Green's MP Kate Fairman filmed the devastation and demands flows restart now. The New South Wales Water Minister, Rose Jackson, says it's a temporary pause to avoid flooding private land and liability issues. They're relocating turtles, with 39 safe at the zoo to return once water refills, and maximizing river flows elsewhere, without most releases. Water NSW is teaming up with environmental holders to get back on track soon, but the wetlands future hangs in the balance as this fight over water. Priorities plays out in the Murray-Darling Basin. That rap's Sydney News today brought to you with AI.