An endangered green sea turtle is back in the ocean where she belongs – her release off Sydney’s coast a critical step for the future of the species.
Nellie the green sea turtle was found looking unwell by an Australian Seabird Rescue Central Coast (ASRCC) diver at Cabbage Tree Bay in Manly in mid-April. After being rescued and undergoing a health check, the team found she had a heavy barnacle load and fluid under her shell.
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) provided critical resources including a heater to help with her rehabilitation. Heaters are crucial to a sea turtle’s recovery because, being reptiles, they require warmer water temperatures to increase their immunity. The heaters also allow for the temperature to be stabislised and, when the turtle is ready, to be slowly decreased to match ocean temperature.
After being in care for just over a month, Nellie was released at Shelly Beach in Manly on Sunday, May 16.
“It’s always a bittersweet moment to see them released,” ASRCC co-ordinator Robert Olive said.
“We are sad to see them leave because you do grow attached but it’s heartwarming seeing them back in the ocean where they belong. Because green sea turtles are an endangered species it’s even more important for them to get back out there so they can hopefully breed.”
IFAW joined the ASRCC team for Nellie’s release – which Nellie was more than ready for – flapping her flippers before she returned to the ocean.
“It was truly a heartwarming moment to see Nellie so excited to get back to the ocean where she belongs,” IFAW Oceania Animal Rescue Officer Nicole Rojas Marin said.
“Sea turtles are up against a lot – with pollution from plastics, oil spills and fishing lines and climate change, so Nellie’s successful rescue, rehabilitation and release is so crucial for the future of her species.”
About the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)
The International Fund for Animal Welfare is a global non-profit helping animal and people thrive together. We are experts and everyday people, working across seas, oceans and in more than 40 countries around the world. We rescue, rehabilitate and release animals, and we restore and protect their natural habitats. The problems we’re up against are urgent and complicated. To solve them, we match fresh thinking with bold action. We partner with local communities, governments, non-governmental organisations and businesses. Together, we pioneer new and innovative ways to help all species flourish. See how at ifaw.org
About Australian Seabird Rescue – Australian Seabird Rescue Began in 1992 with a bloke named Lance Ferris. Lance was out on the Richmond River in Ballina and noticed a Pelican that had fishing line tangled around his leg. From there, Lance decided to catch this bird and disentangle it. This ignited a passion and on the very same day, Lance counted a population of 108 pelicans in Ballina and of those, 37 had fishing tackle related injuries. Noticing this was an issue, Lance decided to start Australian Seabird Rescue. Australian Seabird Rescue has 3 branches along the NSW Coast, the North Coast, the Central Coast (Hunter to Sydney) and the South Coast, and specialises in the rescue & rehabilitation of Seabirds, Shorebirds, Sea Turtles & Sea Snakes. The organisation is run by dedicated volunteers.
