Tama the Green Sea Turtle, who was first admitted in July 2022 as a hatchling weighing 127g, has been released back into the wild following intensive care at Sydney’s Taronga Wildlife Hospital. Now weighing 11.9kg, Tama was released on Monday 4 December 2023 in Sydney Harbour with the assistance of NSW Police. 

Arriving at the Taronga Wildlife Hospital last year, the turtle was found lying on its back in a rockpool at Tamarama Beach in Bondi. Among a missing right flipper, a chip missing from its back left flipper, and a piece of missing shell indicating that it had sustained a bite, the hatchling was also found to have a stomach full of plastic. Following admission, Tama continued to defecate plastic for six days.

Senior Keeper at Taronga Zoo Sydney Sarah Male received Tama and cared for him until his release.

“The fact that he pooped plastic for six days is shocking,” said Sarah. “That means that the food that he took in in the first couple of days that he was alive and out in the ocean was plastic. It was all different kinds of plastic; hard plastics, little bits of rope, line – and this guy fitted into the palm of my hand. His whole body was full of it.”

Each year, Taronga’s Wildlife Hospitals treat more than 1,500 native wildlife cases, many of which have been impacted by plastics. Experts estimate that 33 per cent of marine turtles and 43 per cent of seabirds have ingested plastics in their lifetimes, mistaking these items for food which then cause significant internal organ damage.

While Senior Keeper Sarah Male is excited to be able to release Tama back into the wild, she also encourages others to help protect sea life. “We can all do our part to help all wildlife here in Australia and around the world,” said Sarah.

“When it comes to marine life in Australia, we are surrounded by water and we really do need to save these wonderful animals. When you’re at the beach or if you’re out in the bush, take your rubbish with you. If you’re fishing, take all your fishing line, extra hooks and plastic bags of bait with you. Always remember to take your stuff back with you and put it in the bin – it’s that simple.”

Tragically, not all animals are as lucky as Tama. Taronga’s Registry of Wildlife Health also receives deceased animals, from dolphins to sea birds, who have been fatally impacted by plastics, either by entanglement or ingestion.

Tragically, not all animals are as lucky as Tama. Taronga’s Registry of Wildlife Health also receives deceased animals, from dolphins to sea birds, who have been fatally impacted by plastics, either by entanglement or ingestion.

Seeing firsthand how plastic can impact our native wildlife, Taronga is committed to reducing plastic waste. Both its Zoos have eliminated over 80 per cent of single-use plastics onsite, with a target of diverting 90 per cent of operational waste from landfill by 2025. Initiatives to minimise plastic usage in Taronga’s Zoos include offering paper and reusable alternatives to plastic bags, banning balloons from both sites and at events since 2009, removing individual condiment packages in favour of refillable stations, and removing 6000 milk bottles with the introduction of a Milk Juggler system at its café. Recently, Taronga has moved to eliminate plastic beverage containers across its Zoos and has also partnered with Plasmar, diverting 1,677kgs of soft plastics and more than 60kgs of hard plastic from landfill.

Taronga’s strategic priority is to increase its capacity to assist wildlife in need, which is why work is underway to build a new world-class wildlife hospital in Sydney. The new Taronga Wildlife Hospital in Sydney will increase the hospital’s capacity to hold and care for injured wildlife including turtles, koalas and platypus and other native animals by 400 percent.

Taronga’s two Wildlife Hospitals provide vital emergency assistance to all kinds of sick and injured native animals. With your help we can provide them with the best possible care – Donate today.

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