Photographer Chris van Wyk became famous on the Internet for sharing pictures of the algae-covered Mary River turtle, nicknamed the “punk” turtle.
Its deliberate creation of media attention has influenced judgments about the environmental protection of this rare species.
The Mary River turtle is known as the “boom-breather” because of the peculiar way it breathes.
One of the many animals unique to the Mary River in Queensland, Australia is the now famous Mary River Turtle. This remarkable creature is known as a “bum-breather” because it can stay underwater for up to 72 hours thanks to specialized glands in its reproductive organs. This unique feature sets it apart from other reptiles. The Queensland Government announced plans in 2009 to dam the river at Traveston Crossing, which would split the Mary River turtle’s native range in half and remove much of the turtles’ ideal nesting habitat.
Van Wyk, who was still learning photography at the time, was angered by the plans and took action. He went down to the river and, despite his limbs turning blue from the cold, spent the day in the water in a wetsuit and took hundreds of harrowing pictures. Then he got lucky.
Suddenly he came across an animal with a full head of green algae “hair”, Mohawk style. The perfect subject for a charming image of the turtle he intended to capture, allowing viewers to empathize with it and understand the importance of protecting this species.
A photographer spent the day trying in vain to get a decent shot of the animal before coming across this mohawk-style specimen. A great theme is to protect the species. Photo by Chris van Wyk
Van Wyk was thrilled with the result and posted the images on social media and in the local press in an attempt to gain as much publicity as possible. He was later contacted by some anti-dam activists who wanted to use the images to create awareness postcards and posters.
One of the pictures went viral.
Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett eventually vetoed the Queensland government’s decision to go ahead with the dam.
The decision was released alongside a widely shared image. The species was spared, at least for a while.
The exact location of the turtle habitat is the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam. Image courtesy of Patrick McCully
However, the Mary River turtle has been spared extinction more than once. These creatures were sold all over Australia in the 1960s and 1970s as “penny turtles” and no one knew where they came from.
The species became virtually extinct before it could be fully characterized or discovered by science. Decades of cow grazing, tree felling,, and sand mining along river banks have damaged water quality and threatened their habitat, plus they are sold as pets.
Eventually, John Cann, a reptile expert from Sydney, discovered that the small turtle being sold as a Christmas gift in Victoria and New South Wales was a species science had never heard of.
(In those days, traders refused to reveal the identity of their suppliers, and the wildlife trade had its dubious code of ethics.) Cann’s obsession with finding the species led him to obsessively search for its origins in Papua New Guinea and hundreds of Australian river systems over two decades.
The sale of Mary River turtles as “penny turtles” for nearly 20 years almost drove the species to extinction. Photo by Chris van Wyk
The collection and trade of Mary River turtles eventually ended when the Victorian government banned the sale of hatchling freshwater turtles with a shell length of less than 100 mm in 1984. This also meant that wildlife traders no longer had to hide the species. Origin and John eventually traced the species to the town of Maryborough, where the animal’s natural habitat is located.
It was the first time that the turtle managed to become extinct.
Can the Turtle World punks do it? We have the final say. Photo by Chris van Wyk
Still, the fight for the Mary River turtle continues. Its future is far from certain, even though it has been spared the devastating effects of the dam. We still have a lot of work to do before we can say with certainty that Turtle World Punk is here to stay.
The story of the Mary River turtle serves as a powerful example of how the survival of a species can depend on human intervention and awareness. Thanks to the efforts of individuals like photographer Chris van Wyk, the plight of this unique “punk” turtle gained widespread attention, ultimately influencing government decisions and helping to protect its habitat from destruction. Van Wyk’s iconic painting not only sparked public interest but also helped stop the construction of the Traveston Crossing Dam and offered the species a reprieve.
But the challenges for the Mary River turtle are far from over. Decades of habitat degradation, coupled with its near extinction due to the pet trade in the 1960s and 1970s, continue to threaten its survival. Although steps have been taken to conserve the species, much work remains to restore its natural habitat and ensure its long-term protection. The turtle’s survival depends on continued conservation efforts, and continued public involvement will be critical to securing its future.Â
The Mary River turtle, with its striking kelp mohawk, has become an enduring symbol of the delicate balance between nature and human development. His story reminds us that while victories have been won, the fight to preserve biodiversity continues and every action taken today will shape the future of species like this remarkable creature.