Wunjunga the Green Turtle Released from Turtle Hospital

12:00 AM Fri 30 Oct 2009 GMT

'green turtle' Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

One very lucky green turtle was released off the Strand on October 20th 2009, thanks to GBRMPA's Reef HQ Aquarium and the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM).

Wunjunga was brought into Reef HQ Aquarium on 27 August, suffering from an infestation of external parasites.

The green turtle was found by representatives from the Department of Environment and Resource Management at Wunjunga Beach, south of Home Hill.

The Department of Environment and Resource Management representatives immediately gave approval for the team at Reef HQ Aquarium to rehabilitate the turtle at the turtle hospital.

Reef HQ Aquarium Director, Fred Nucifora said the successful rehabilitation of this marine turtle demonstrates why the Turtle Hospital is so important to these threatened species.

'It is a very proud moment for the staff and volunteers of Reef HQ Aquarium when we release a fit and healthy patient from the Turtle Hospital,' he said.

'This turtle has been given a second chance because of the amazing support we have received from visitors, the Townsville community and our turtle hospital corporate partners.

'To ensure the long-term sustainability of marine turtles it's important that we all keep an eye out for turtles when we're out on the water and dispose of our rubbish responsibly,' said Mr Nucifora.

The biggest threats to marine turtles are all associated with human activities including boat strikes, entanglement in fishing gear and ingestion of synthetic material such as plastics.

Ian Bell a Senior Conservation Officer with the Department of Environment and Resource Management said the establishment of the Turtle Hospital in Reef HQ will assist in maintaining marine turtle populations in the region.

'If anyone finds a stranded turtle I encourage them to call DERM on 1300 130 372 immediately,' Mr Bell said.

Reef HQ Aquarium Turtle Hospital was officially opened by Peter Garrett, AM, MP, Minister for Environment, Heritage and the Arts on 24 August 2009. The hospital plays a key role in rehabilitating turtles so they can be released back into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

www.gbrmpa.gov.au/

by Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority