Taronga Wildlife Hospital Veterinary staff released a rehabilitated Green Turtle this week, on Tuesday 8th May, off the coast of Manly. The Turtle was fitted with a satellite tracker prior to release.

Stephanie was brought in by a member of the community from Port Stephens after she was found washed up on the sand immobile and covered in barnacles. Being very lethargic and underweight, Taronga Wildlife Hospital treated her for a suspected infection upon arrival.

Taronga Wildlife Hospital Veterinary Officer Kimberly Vinette Herrin said, “Stephanie responded very well to treatment and began eating quite quickly. The juvenile turtle now has good muscle condition after spending time swimming in Taronga’s rehabilitation pools. She is quite active, swimming and diving and is ready to be released back into the wild.”

The data collected from Stephanie’s satellite tracker will add to a Taronga research project, supported by Suez. With these satellite trackers, we aim to measure the post-release success of each Marine Turtle that Taronga Wildlife Hospital rehabilitates and releases. We are also researching critical Marine Turtle habitat usage through the tracking program. Taronga Wildlife Hospital has rehabilitated, released and tracked 12 turtles as a part of this program so far.

Three days after we released Stephanie, the data we have collected can be seen in this map. We hope this data in time will help our researchers learn more about the movements and habitats of this species. .

Taronga is committed to wildlife conservation. As part of Centenary celebrations in 2016 Taronga identified 10 key species, making a proud commitment to these Legacy Species, which includes the Marine Turtle.

Taronga Wildlife Hospital receives approximately 40 Marine Turtles every year and treats more than 1,000 sick and injured animals each year.

“Keen-eyed Australians should keep watch for these animals in our local waterways and remember that they are a vital part of our marine environment; this is our backyard and we all have a role in its protection,” said Kimberly.

If you find a stranded turtle on the beach, contact a wildlife service such as WIRES by phoning 1300 094 737. During business hours, the Taronga Wildlife Hospital is also available to provide advice by phoning 9969 2777.

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Photos and imagery can be found here.

For media enquiries or more information, contact:

Sarah Lievore, 9978 4606, 0403 513 963, slievore@zoo.nsw.gov.au