Turtle research swimming along strongly
Media statement
Townsville, Australia
Research is into its third and final year on the endangered loggerhead turtle at James Cook University (JCU) Townsville with support from Glencore’s Queensland Metals.
As part of World Endangered Species Day on 17 May 2024, Glencore and JCU are pleased to provide an update on the progress of the research which aims to learn more about the threats to loggerhead turtle populations during their early years of life.
Glencore Queensland Metals is providing $150,000 over three years for the research that will help head-start future programs around the world to reduce their mortality rates, which can be as high as 70%.
The turtles that are part of the program and housed at the research centre were collected when they were a few weeks old and are now two years old. They have grown to about 40 cm in size and have developed spikes along their backs. Studies have been focusing on specific behaviours of the species and their interaction with the environment.
JCU Turtle Health Research Centre Director, Professor Mark Hamann said the turtles are all going well, with their growth rates on track and the largest turtle reaching 10kg.
“We recently began the latest upgrade to the research centre to allow each turtle to have more space to roam. We have completed two trials on enrichment which showed the turtles using a variety of submerged objects to scratch themselves, hide, or bask on, all of which are preparing us for upcoming husbandry and their lives in the ocean after release,” said Mark.
Glencore’s Refinery and Port Operations Manager at Townsville, Paul Taylor, said we recognise the importance of supporting a range of initiatives within our communities where we operate, including the environment, health, education and training, and economic diversification.
“We are proud to support this important research which aims to find ways to protect the turtles in the wild during their vulnerable young years.”
When the turtles are big enough, they will be fitted with satellite tracking devices and released into the wild, allowing researchers to follow their movements through the ocean.
For further information, please contact:
Emma Godfrey
m: +61 428 026 435
e: Emma Godfrey
Nadine Roberts
m: +61 436 341 650
e: Nadine Roberts
Notes for editors
About Glencore Australia
In Australia, Glencore produces coal, zinc, nickel, cobalt, copper, lead and silver from 22 active mining operations. We also operate metals processing assets in Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, including concentrators, smelters and refineries.
We are among Australia’s largest producers and marketers of natural resources, connecting Australian resources with industrial customers around the world. Through our diverse portfolio, we responsibly supply the resources that advance everyday life.
We employ 17,460 people in Australia and in 2023 contributed almost $23.5 billion to the regional, state and national economies. This included spend of $12.9 billion with 7,000 businesses across the country, as well as $8.2 billion in government tax and royalty payments.
We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace for our people, to respecting the environment, to engaging openly and constructively with the Traditional Owners on whose lands we operate and to bringing value to local communities.
We will support the global effort to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement through our efforts to decarbonise our own operational footprint. We believe that we should take a holistic approach and have considered our commitment through the lens of our global industrial emissions. Against a restated 2019 baseline, we are targeting to reduce our Scope 1, 2 and 3 industrial emissions by 15% by the end of 2026, 25% by the end of 2030, 50% by the end of 2035 and we have an ambition to achieve net zero industrial emissions by the end of 2050, subject to a supportive policy environment.
Learn more about Glencore Australia.
About Mount Isa Mines
Mount Isa Mines, established in 1923, operates two separate mining and processing streams: copper and zinc-lead-silver, to deliver natural resources that have enduring roles in our society. It is one of Australia’s largest industrial complexes.
The operations host the world’s largest zinc resource base and include two underground zinc mines, three underground copper mines, a copper concentrator and smelter, and a zinc-lead concentrator, lead smelter and zinc filter plant.
Products from Mount Isa Mines are exported all over the world, contributing billions of dollars to the Australian economy each year.
We provide work for about 3,500 employees and contractors and are committed to supporting local people, local businesses and to creating strong links between our operations and the city of Mount Isa.
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