The splash of fins and the sight of a giant manta ray art piece greet visitors at the Whitsunday Turtle Rescue Centre (WTRC), where dedicated volunteers are currently caring for four rescued sea turtles, including a tiny hatchling. This follows a busy year of turtle rescues for the team, with two recent rescues and two releases last week.
Successful Release of ‘Dawn’ at Cannonvale Beach
On December 12th, a crowd gathered at Cannonvale Beach to witness the release of Dawn, a sub-adult green sea turtle. Under the golden glow of the afternoon sun, Dawn glided gracefully back into the Coral Sea, marking a successful release by the WTRC team. Dawn was initially spotted resting among the seagrass beds, a known feeding and basking zone for turtles.
Concerned community members reported her presence, and after being brought into care for monitoring and health checks, Dawn was found to be healthy. “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.”
The Journey of ‘Miss T’ Back to the Sea
In contrast, Miss T, a juvenile green sea turtle, was found in a weakened state near Whitehaven Beach. Covered in algae and struggling to survive, she was brought to WTRC for intensive care. After 1.5 months of supportive care, Miss T began eating independently and showed strong signs of recovery.
On December 12th, she was transported back by boat to Chance Bay near Whitehaven, where she was released to swim free once again. This journey of recovery highlights the crucial role of rehabilitation in turtle rescue efforts.
New Arrivals and Ongoing Challenges
The centre’s busy week continued with the arrival of a tiny hatchling from Cape Hillsborough, attacked by a seabird. “The little one is receiving care to heal her wounds and regain strength,” Libby explained. The hatchling will be released back at Cape Hillsborough on the next full moon, a natural time for hatchlings to follow the moonlight out to sea.
Meanwhile, another green sea turtle was rescued from Hay Point, found distressed and suffering from a parasitic condition known as fluke. “She is now receiving treatment and monitoring from our experienced rescue team,” Libby stated. These incidents underscore the ongoing challenges faced by sea turtles in their natural habitats.
A Call to Action for the Community
The WTRC emphasizes the importance of community involvement in turtle conservation. If you spot a turtle that appears unwell or is behaving unusually, you are encouraged to call the Marine Stranding Hotline at 1300 130 372 or Eco Barge direct at (07) 4946 5198. The trained Turtle Response Team can guide you on how to keep the turtle safe or transport it into care if needed.
Green sea turtles have been on our planet for over 200 million years, and the WTRC, operated by Eco Barge Clean Seas Inc., is committed to ensuring they continue to thrive in the Whitsundays. Your vigilance and support can make a significant difference in their conservation.
Photo Credit: Ruth Puddefoot
