HUNDREDS of turtles have been saved from death at Lisarow thanks to the efforts of a group of dedicated volunteers.
The alarm was raised late Monday afternoon after two large ponds were drained at a former factory site, leaving hundreds of the small creatures stuck in the mud and fighting for their lives.
Wildlife ARC volunteers worked through the night and all day Tuesday trying to save as many of the eastern long-necked and short-necked Macquarie turtles as possible.
Often wading in mud up to their waists, volunteers managed to rescue about 700 turtles.
Gosford Council and the new owners of the site worked together with Wildlife ARC to allow volunteers to rescue as many of the turtles as possible.
Wildlife ARC vice chairwoman Jessi Grace said the turtles were lucky volunteers arrived when they did otherwise hundreds would have died.
"When we arrived the water had been drained and the majority of the turtles were exhausted as they had been struggling in the mud for some time," shesaid.
"But luckily we only lost a few."
Hundreds have been released at Narara Creek but volunteers will care for about 150 baby turtles through the winter.
"Because they are so small they wouldn't survive the winter in a new environment," Ms Grace said.
"So we will house them with volunteers throughout the colder months before releasing them into the wild in spring."
HOW TO HELP
- The Wildlife ARC organisation is always on the lookout for new members, with volunteers filling a variety of roles from cutting up fruit and answering phones to helping care for animals.
- To find out more about the organisation, join or make a contribution phone 4325th0666 or email arc@wildlife-arc.org.au
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