A young turtle from an endangered species has returned home, after 125 days in care.
The sub-adult green turtle, named ‘Elwood’, was released back into the wild by SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast Aquarium, with the assistance of Coast Guard Mooloolaba.
Elwood was found stranded and unwell at North Peregian Beach in late June
Coolum Coast Care volunteer Jo safely transported the turtle to SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast for specialised veterinary assessment and rehabilitation.
Vet Nurse at SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast, Brittany Attwood, said the creature was in a dire condition.
“After a thorough veterinary assessment it was determined that the turtle was suffering from low blood glucose, abnormal liver enzymes and a nasty burrowing barnacle wound,” she said.
Elwood was nursed back to health during the next four months and the lucky turtle recovered to be a fighting fit 33kg and 70cm.
The team at SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast and Coast Guard boarded one of the fleet’s vessels with their special cargo and set sail to Mudjimba Island.
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Once a suitable location was determined, Elwood was carefully lowered by the team towards the water’s surface for release.
There are seven species of marine turtles in the world and six are found in Australian waters.
All six species have suffered population declines as a result of pollution, entanglement in fishing nets, plastic bag ingestion, depletion of food stocks, boat-related injuries, loss of shoreline breeding areas and egg predation by species such as foxes and dogs.
READ: Rescue groups swamped by sick and injured turtles.
SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast’s Turtle Rehabilitation Centre is behind the scenes, due to the high level of care the team need to provide each individual turtle.
SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast runs a Behind The Scenes Tour, which gives guests the unique opportunity to visit the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, meet the rescued sea turtles and learn how the team plays a key role in their recovery.
For further information, tickets and opening hours, visit SEALIFE Sunshine Coast.
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