A Sunshine Coast aquarium has been recognised as a global leader in sea turtle conservation following a significant year of rescue and rehabilitation work.
SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast cared for more than three quarters of all marine turtles rehabilitated across the international SEA LIFE network in 2025, according to the organisation’s latest global conservation report.
The aquarium admitted 71 sea turtles to its turtle rehabilitation hospital last year, including four hatchlings, and successfully returned 41 to the wild after veterinary treatment and rehabilitation.
Another patient is due to return to the ocean on Saturday, July 18, as part of the Mooloolaba Beach Clean Up Day, which will be held from 9am to midday.
Digger, a green sea turtle, was admitted to Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital in May suffering from a buoyancy disorder known as coelomic floating.
He was transferred to SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast on June 10 to continue his recovery and has responded well to treatment and exceeded his target body weight.
Aquarium staff said Digger was now fit to be released, marking another successful outcome for the hospital.
SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast veterinary nurse Sarah Harrison said each animal received care tailored to its condition.
“Every turtle in our care receives individualised attention, from veterinary assessment through to specialised treatment, rehabilitation and behavioural monitoring,” she said.
“Many arrive suffering from devastating injuries, buoyancy disorders, malnutrition or the impacts of marine debris and pollution.
“Seeing those animals return to the ocean is incredibly rewarding because every successful release strengthens wild populations of these vulnerable species.”
The aquarium’s results were highlighted in SEA LIFE’s 2025 Making Waves for our Oceans Conservation and Wildlife Rehabilitation Report.
Over the past five years, the facility has treated almost 580 sea turtles and returned about 442 to the ocean, representing a rehabilitation success rate of 76.5 per cent.
The work has continued in 2026, with 52 turtles admitted so far, including 23 hatchlings. Fourteen have been released.
The hospital treats green, loggerhead, hawksbill and flatback turtles, with some patients requiring months of intensive rehabilitation before they are healthy enough to return to the wild.
Across the broader SEA LIFE network, teams at more than 50 aquariums delivered 104 conservation projects, rescued 683 marine animals and contributed more than 34,000 hours to wildlife conservation during 2025.
Merlin Entertainments director of conservation, welfare and education Chris Brown said the Sunshine Coast team had demonstrated what could be achieved through local conservation work.
“SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast is a shining example of how a passionate local team can make a measurable difference for marine life,” he said.
“Their work embodies our mission to rescue, restore and protect our oceans, demonstrating that hands-on conservation, scientific expertise and community engagement can create meaningful outcomes for threatened species.”
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The aquarium also runs education and community programs focused on threats including plastic pollution, fishing-line entanglement, habitat loss and climate change.
These include public turtle releases, beach clean-ups and other conservation activities along the coastline.
