A sizable sea turtle, weighing over 50 kilograms, has been saved from a beach in Urunga, New South Wales.
The turtle, a female estimated to be around 30 years old, was found stranded on her back in the sand dunes by a local resident.
She is now undergoing rehabilitation at the Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary, with plans for her release scheduled in approximately six months.
Anthony Sharkey was driving along Urunga North Beach near a river entrance when he spotted the turtle in distress. Initially, he thought the massive creature was lifeless.
“I gently rubbed her cheek, and to my surprise, she turned her head towards me,” Sharkey recounted.
After flipping the turtle onto her belly, he contacted the Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary, which promptly sent a rescue team to assist.
“I believe she is lucky because I think she had been stranded there for three or four days after the rough seas from the previous week washed her ashore among debris,” Sharkey noted. “It felt rewarding to help her; they are magnificent creatures when you see them up close.”
On April 1, Judy Bartholomew, a volunteer rescuer at the sanctuary, was part of the team that responded to the rescue call.
The turtle, affectionately named Ozzy, weighed 52 kilograms and measured 83 centimeters in shell length, making the rescue operation more complex.
“It took three men to lift her into the back of the vehicle,” she remarked. “Once we arrived at the sanctuary, we used a specialized sling to carry her inside with the help of four people.”
Upon her arrival, Ozzy was placed in a freshwater recovery tank to rehydrate, as she was significantly dehydrated, and she began to show signs of improvement.
Tiga Cross, the managing director of the sanctuary, reported that Ozzy was experiencing floating syndrome, a condition caused by trapped gas that hinders a turtle’s ability to dive and feed effectively.
“She is in good body condition, which indicates she hasn’t been unwell for too long; however, her eyes were quite swollen and dry, and she was buoyant when we placed her in freshwater,” Cross stated. “She is looking much better now, and we have started providing her with food, though it may take a few days for her to regain the strength needed to eat.”
Ozzy is expected to remain at the sanctuary for about six months to address the gas accumulation and help her regain her strength.
“Considering her size, we anticipate a release in December, as we need to ensure she is ready to face winter,” Cross added.
Cross also mentioned that there are two other large turtles currently receiving care at the sanctuary.
“Typically, only two percent of the turtles we rescue are this large; having three of this size at once is quite rare,” she said. “It’s truly a privilege to witness and assist these extraordinary creatures at this stage in their lives. Being able to help her through this process and potentially allow her to breed is crucial for the species’ future.”
