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With today (Tuesday 23rd May) marking World Turtle Day, SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s and Auckland Zoo vets have undertaken a medical check of a recently rescued, critically endangered Hawksbill turtle.

Found washed up on Northland’s 90 Mile Beach at the start of May, the juvenile turtle was in precarious state as marine turtles don’t breed on the beaches in New Zealand.

Following urgent medical attention from the Auckland Zoo vet centre, the hawksbill was then transported to SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s rehabilitation centre where he is currently being monitored as part of a continuing partnership between the organisations.

Auckland Zoo Resident Vet Lydia Uddstrom explained "the Hawksbill came to us exhausted, dehydrated and not eating, with a well healed, amputated flipper.

“We took some x-rays to get a really good look at him and assess his flipper. We were unable to determine the cause of the injury but checked that his remaining bones were alright, which they were.

“It’s great to be able to provide the vet care for these endangered turtles and to work alongside the fantastic team at SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s to help these ones back in to the ocean, but also help us learn more about them and how we can help them."

The SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s rehabilitation facility is the only facility in New Zealand that rehabilitates injured turtles and has successfully released over many turtles back to the wild.

Andrew Christie, Kelly Tarlton’s SEA LIFE Aquarium Curator, is pleased by the hawksbill’s progress so far.

Christie added "while he still has a long road to recovery ahead of him, he has made an impressive turnaround in his short time at our rehabilitation centre. We’re happy to share his story on World Turtle Day - a day dedicated to the care, conservation and awareness of one of the oldest living reptiles in the world."

The Kelly Tarlton’s team has over 20 years’ experience in rescuing and rehabilitating a range of endangered or near extinct sea turtles in New Zealand.

In partnership with the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Auckland Zoo, being able to help sick and injured marine life by nursing them back to good health is making a real difference to the future of these critically endangered species.

Sea turtles are one of the most affected by habitat loss, and are significantly impacted by plastic in the ocean. During his time at Auckland Zoo, the hawksbill passed plastic, which sea turtles often mistake for food in the ocean and eat. One way to make a difference is by reducing the use of plastic and disposing of it safely, which is vital for the survival of these turtles.

The hawksbill is expected to be on-site at Kelly Tarlton’s quarantine area for the next three to six months while the critical rehabilitation process is carried out. It is anticipated that he’ll be released to the public display in time for summer. 

Image: The endangered Hawksbill turtle being card for by SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s and Auckland Zoo vets.

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Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

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