1839    First specimen sent to the Vienna Museum of Natural History by J.A. Ludwig Preiss, who collected in south-western Australia from 1839 to 1841

1901    Scientifically described and named Pseudemydura umbrina by Siebenrock

1953    Rediscovered by schoolboy Robert Boyd in Upper Swan; two specimens taken to WA Naturalists’ Club Show

1962    Twin Swamps & Ellenbrook Nature Reserves established to protect estimated wild population of 200-250

1972   Single juvenile specimen collected at Five Mile Swamp at southern end of Perth Airport land

1973    Biologist Gerald Kuchling sees the museum specimen in Vienna (he was employed as research assistant in the Museum from 1973-1975)

1985    Twin Swamps population nearly extinct; species down to 30-50 surviving animals

1988    Under direction of the Western Swamp Tortoise Captive Breeding Management Committee (CALM, UWA, Perth Zoo) Gerald Kuchling sets up a captive breeding program at Perth Zoo, with funding from WWF-Australia, CALM and Perth Zoo

1990    Western Swamp Tortoise Management Program published and Western Swamp Tortoise Recovery Team (a collaboration between Perth Zoo, CALM, UWA, Curtin University and WWF) established

1991    Responsibility for the captive breeding program transferred to Perth Zoo, with G. Kuchling continuing to provide help and advice.

1992    Western Swamp Tortoise Recovery Plan formulated by Recovery Team

1994    Re-introduction of captive-bred tortoises starts at Twin Swamps Nature Reserve

2000    New population established (from captive bred animals) at Mogumber Nature Reserve, north of Perth

2001    Further releases of captive bred tortoises at Mogumber NR

2004    Formation of Friends of the Western Swamp Tortoise group

2005   Record number (75) of tortoises bred during this year at Perth Zoo, which won the national ‘In-situ Conservation Award’ for its efforts; 54 animals released to reserves.