Mary River's rare, endangered species numbers are falling, but scientists aren't giving up

The first extensive study of one of Australia's most unique rivers in decades has revealed the rare and endangered species that call it home aren't bouncing back like they should be. Queensland's Mary River is home to the prehistoric Australian lungfish and the critically endangered Mary River cod. Queensland's Mary River is home to the prehistoric Australian lungfish, the critically endangered Mary River cod and the endangered Mary River turtle — famous for breathing through its bum. Professor Kennard has caught and counted fish and turtles at nearly 60 sites since September and said Mary River cod numbers were particularly low. "We caught about 9,000 fish but only 30 were Mary River cod and most of them were big or adults, so that could show there's been poor breeding success," he said.