The Reef HQ Aquarium turtle hospital provides a dedicated facility where sick and injured marine turtles can be cared for and rehabilitated. The hospital operates under and promotes the C.A.R.E (Conserve. Act. Rehabilitate. Educate) philosophy playing a key role in raising community awareness.

Time for release, Green Turtle on its way to the release site.

On July 18th members of the Reef HQ released a Green Turtle, with plenty of Australian Wildlife Rehabilitation Conference attendees present as part of the workshop. It wasa sight to behold, as this poor originally underweight turtle now a healthy weight, being released.

Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) makes tracks for the water.

Turtle Rehabilitation is quite the ongoing commitment. A series of standings and mortality over recent years has highlighted some serious concerns with turtles and rehabilitation efforts have increased. Reef HQ rehab turtle enclosure, where short term adult and young marine  turtles spend up to 6 months during rehabilitation. The common cause type is starvation or poor weight with extending circumstances. So called “Floaters” often are turtles with poor weight and predisposing ailments that can contribute to this state.

Reef HQ rehab turtle enclosure.