• This centre visitor was turtley awesome!

    by  • April 4, 2013 • Announcements, Aquaria • 0 Comments

    On Friday March 22, the staff was surprised and delighted when a man with a turtle turned up on our front door step.

    Michael Hewitt excited about his find, Ruby

    Michael Hewitt from Melbourne was happily fishing in Pambula Lake while on holiday when he came across a lost green turtle. He quickly collected her and brought her down to us hoping to find out how to best care for her. The staff rang WIRES branch president Janine Green, as she has experience in caring for and treating turtles. The turtle was taken to Janine and has since been moved to the Merimbula Aquarium for further care. Janine has had six sea turtles brought into her in the last 12 months.

    The couple that found the turtle has named her Ruby; she is an 11kg female green turtle. She has a problem with her shell and they are treating her with antibiotics and vitamin B.

    The Green Sea turtle, Chelonia mydas, is one of seven speacies of marine turtle in the world. Their carapace (shellcan grow up to 1m in length. The Sapphire Coast is the southern most area for their distribution with most turtles travelling down our way on the East Australian Current, much like they did in ‘Finding Nemo’.

    Fun Fact: Sea turtles cannot pull their heads into their shells!

    If you spot a sea turtle please report it to us on 6496 1699.

    To find out more about local turtle sightings or to log your own visit RedMap

     

    About

    Marine Education Officer for the Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre. A qualified marine scientist and educator with a Bachelor degree in Global and Ocean Science obtained from the Australian National University and a Graduate Diploma in Science Communication.

    https://www.sapphirecoastdiscovery.com.au

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