The splash of fins, the sight of a giant Manta Ray art piece, and a warm welcome await visitors at the Whitsunday Turtle Rescue Centre (WTRC). Currently, the centre’s dedicated volunteers are caring for four rescued sea turtles, including a tiny hatchling, following two recent rescues and two releases last week. This activity follows a particularly busy year of turtle rescues for the team at WTRC.
Successful Release of Sub-adult Green Turtle ‘Dawn’
Under the golden refraction of the afternoon sun, Cannonvale Beach witnessed a heartwarming scene at 5 pm on December 12th. A crowd gathered in anticipation as Dawn, a sub-adult green sea turtle, made her way back into the Coral Sea. With steady, purposeful strokes, she glided gracefully, marking a successful release by the WTRC team.
Dawn had been initially spotted resting among the seagrass beds at Cannonvale Beach, a known feeding and basking zone for turtles. Concerned community members promptly reported her presence. After being brought into care for monitoring, health checks, and a gentle barnacle clean, Dawn showed no signs of illness or injury. Her behavior confirmed the team’s initial suspicion: she was simply basking.
“Many turtles are found resting between tides, soaking up the sun, regaining energy, and waiting for the next high tide to swim off again,” said Libby Edge, founder of WTRC. “Dawn was a perfect reminder that not all turtles found on the shore are sick, but we always encourage people to call for advice so we can assess each situation safely.”
‘Miss T’ Released After Compassionate Care Journey
In contrast, Miss T, a juvenile green sea turtle, arrived at the centre in a very weak state. She was found near Whitehaven Beach by the crew of Scamper, covered in algae and struggling to survive. After 1.5 months of supportive care at the WTRC, including nutrition support, monitoring, and rehabilitation, Miss T began eating independently and showing strong signs of recovery.
On Saturday, the 12th, the crew of Scamper transported her back by boat to Chance Bay near Whitehaven, where she was released to swim free once again. Her journey from the brink of death to recovery highlights the critical role of the WTRC in marine conservation.
New Hatchling and Recent Rescue Efforts
Adding to the centre’s busy week, a tiny sea turtle hatchling from Cape Hillsborough was admitted after being attacked by a seabird—a typical incident during the most vulnerable stage of its life cycle. “The little one is receiving care to heal her wounds and regain strength. She will be released back at Cape Hillsborough on the next full moon, which is the moment hatchlings naturally follow the moonlight out to sea,” Libby explained.
Meanwhile, another green sea turtle was rescued from Hay Point after being found distressed, swimming in circles, and suffering from fluke, a parasitic condition. “She is now receiving treatment and monitoring from our experienced rescue team,” Libby stated.
Green Sea Turtles have been on our planet for 200 million years, with turtle fossils dating back 215 million years. The Whitsunday Turtle Rescue Centre is here to ensure they live for many more years.
A Call to The Community
The WTRC would like to remind the community of the importance of reporting any sick, injured, distressed, or stranded turtles. If you spot a turtle that appears unwell or is behaving unusually, please call:
- 1300 130 372 Marine Stranding Hotline
- Eco Barge direct on (07) 4946 5198
The trained Turtle Response Team can guide you on what to do, how to keep the turtle safe, or how to transport the turtle into our care if needed. The Whitsunday Turtle Rescue Centre, operated by Eco Barge Clean Seas Inc., continues its mission to care for sick and injured marine turtles and return them home to the Whitsundays.
As the community rallies around these gentle sea creatures, the WTRC’s efforts underscore the importance of conservation and the role each individual can play in protecting marine life. With ongoing support, the centre hopes to continue its vital work for many years to come.
