Dolphin Marine Magic has been rehabilitating turtles for over 40 years and in this time has released hundreds of these majestic creatures back out into our oceans.
Cetaceans Pinnipeds Marine Turtles Animal Rehabilitation Hospital
The main species that comes into our care is the Green Sea Turtle which is a species commonly found in local waters. Dolphin Marine Magic also recieves Loggerhead and Hawksbill Sea Turtles for care and even the occasional Flatback Sea Turtle which has been swept down our coastline and found in need of our help.
Many of the turtles present with a disease called "Floating Syndrome", where gas builds up in their coloemic cavity and prevents them from diving beneath the surface. When a turtle can’t dive, it can’t feed, navigate ocean currents and waves or avoid predators. This means that by the time we see them, they are in poor body condition and have often been knocked around over rocks and reefs by the waves.
Whilst it is unknown exactly what causes “Floating Syndrome”, we do know that the animals that seem to be the most at risk are the juveniles that are returning to coastal waters after years out to sea and it is assumed that the inshore pollution and damages sea grass beds may play a role in stressing the animals and predisposing them to illness.
Each animal can be in care for as long as 6 months and will progress from the intensive care tanks, that are shallow and heated, to large pre-release tanks that are the same temperature as the ocean and have the depth and currents that are required to assess a turtles suitability for release.
During this stage the turtles are no longer receiving medication and will recommence eating a predominantly herbivorous diet, after enjoying a mixed sea food buffet whilst they regained their strength. Once a turtle has been given a clean bill of health and the weather is favourable, they are transported via boat, back out to sea for a second chance at life.
Normally we try to return animals to the wild in the same location from where they were rescused, however with Flatback turtles, as they are endemic to Northern Territory and Far North Queensland, they are flown back up the coast and released into their native waters.
