Rescuers cry as baby turtles embark on 1,400km journey

The loggerhead turtles have been cared for in Bunbury for two years. (ABC News: Renee Hilton Jones ) Two rehabilitated loggerhead turtles will be released into the wild after two years at a marine rescue sanctuary in WA’s South West. Volunteers farewelled the turtles at a ceremony in Bunbury on Wednesday. The turtles will be released in Exmouth, in WA's north-west, 1,400 kilometres away. Link copiedShareShare articleTwo rescued loggerhead turtles are set to embark on a 1,400 kilometre journey to be released back into the wild. The turtles, Squirdle and Treasure, arrived exhausted and dehydrated at a rehabilitation centre in Bunbury, in WA's South West, after being washed up during winter storms in 2024. After two years of care, the turtles will be flown to Exmouth, to be released into warm waters near Ningaloo Reef. It is anticipated they will journey westward towards Madagascar once returned to the wild. After two years in care, the pair of turtles were considered family by staff and volunteers at Bunbury's Dolphin Discovery Centre. Volunteers, staff and community members gathered to say goodbye as the turtles embarked on the final stage of their remarkable recovery journey. It was a big moment for the people who have helped the turtles since they arrived on Bunbury's beaches. Marine rescue volunteer Yasmin Taylor said farewelling the turtles was bittersweet. Volunteer Yasmin Taylor helped care for the turtles. (ABC News: Renee Hilton Jones) "Today is tough. I have helped in the care and animal husbandry of these guys, so I've become quite attached. "It's a great thing, we have done our job, the centre is amazing with the rehabilitation side of things." The turtles each faced challenges after arriving at the centre. "Because Squirdle is missing a front flipper, we had to make sure he could navigate the oceans and there were no buoyancy issues," Ms Taylor said. "Treasure was a little bit slow. They go into a state of shock, so Treasure took a little while to come back from that." After extensive monitoring and veterinary assessments, the duo were cleared for release. "We had some X-rays done, no plastics ingested, which was wonderful. They have now been vet cleared, so they're ready to go home for their big journey," Ms Taylor said. The turtles were brought to the centre after being discovered by locals on the beach. Dolphin Discovery Centre's Emily Ehlers said it was common for young turtles to be washed ashore during storms in the South West. Emily Ehlers from the Dolphin Discovery Centre says it is important stranded turtles get special care. (ABC News: Georgia Loney) She said it was important people brought in washed up turtles for care by wildlife carers. "The reason they've washed up is because they were kicked out of the Leeuwin Current, so they're generally going to be quite cold and exhausted," she said. "If you just put them back in the ocean, it is almost 100 per cent likely they're going to die. The survival rate of loggerhead sea turtles is extremely low, with only one in every 1,000 hatchlings surviving to maturity. Mrs Ehlers said the release was not only a win for the turtles, but also for a species facing daunting odds. The turtles were weighed before their journey to Exmouth. (ABC News: Renee Hilton-Jones) "Knowing we've put two juveniles back into the water is really important for the species," she said. The pair will be flown to Exmouth before travelling by boat to the Exmouth Continental Shelf where they will be released back into the current. "We wish them well. We are really excited, they're going to go west towards Madagascar," Mrs Ehlers said. For aquarist Chantelle Dixon, the release marks the fruitful end of years spent watching the turtles grow. Staff and volunteers at Dolphin Discovery Centre gathered to farewell the rescued turtles. (ABC News: Renee Hilton-Jones ) "I've been looking after them from tiny little babies that fit in the palm of my hand to now, where I can barely even lift them," she said. "It's an emotional time but I'm so happy to have them back in the wild." As Squirdle and Treasure nestled into custom transport crates, there were smiles, tears and plenty of well wishes. Ms Taylor's message captured the mood of the day. "They just need to go home and live their life in our beautiful oceans." Copy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)PromotionTop Stories'Probably hate me': Finally free and clean, Scott Miller opens upTopic:Swimming

Rescuers cry as baby turtles embark on 1,400km journey

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