While her team of proud carers watched on, Tallulah – an endangered female loggerhead turtle - inched her way back towards the ocean when she was released at Red Beach on November 16. The release of the rescued and rehabilitated Tallulah was a collaborative effort between SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast Aquarium and Australia Zoo.
Found stranded on mud flats, Tallulah, suffering from floating syndrome and in poor condition underwent initial care at Australia Zoo, where their expert veterinary team dedicated three months to her recovery. Tallulah was then transferred to SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast for the final stages of her recovery, before being given the green light for release by the veterinarians.
“It's an amazing feeling to witness Tallulah returning to the ocean today,” senior aquarist at SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast Laura Casserly said. “This achievement marks a significant milestone for us, with our facility caring for 39 turtles this year and emphasises the importance of collaborative efforts such as this one with Australia Zoo to safeguard these remarkable creatures.”
Tallulah’s release at Red Beach takes the number of turtles cared for at SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast this year to 39 adults and 129 hatchlings, a significant milestone for the in-house Turtle Rehabilitation Centre. Last year was one of the most significant for the aquarium’s Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, with 74 adult and 44 hatchlings being cared for by the team throughout 2022.
Loggerhead turtles are one of the larger sea turtle species weighing between 68 to 181 kilograms with a carapace (shell) length of up to 107cm. They inhabit diverse ocean environments, favouring coastal waters and open seas, undertaking extensive migrations between feeding grounds and nesting beaches, spanning thousands of miles. Loggerheads play a vital role in marine ecosystems by regulating prey populations. Classified as ‘vulnerable’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), loggerheads face threats like habitat loss, pollution, bycatch and climate change, emphasising the urgency of their conservation for global ocean biodiversity and balance.
Anyone who comes across a sick or injured sea turtle in the wild are encouraged to report it immediately to the Queensland marine stranding hotline on 1300 130 372.
Visitors to SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast can purchase a behind-the-scenes tour ticket to see what goes on in the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre. For more information, please visit: www.visitsealife.com/sunshine-coast/
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