Sea Life Kelly Tarlton's Auckland has bid farewell to two much loved Green Sea Turtles as they were released back to the ocean after nearly two years of rehabilitation.
Green sea turtles Oscar and Kiwa were released off Northland's Tutukaka Coast today, swimming into an off-shoot of the Australian Eastern Current, after receiving a karakia from local wi Ngatiwai.
Nearly two year's ago in July of 2016 the two turtles were rescued from Ninety Mile Beach severely sick and injured.
Oscar was found suffering from infected fractures on his rear flippers, cold shock and was underweight.
Kiwa was found also suffering from dehydration, cold shock, was underweight with a severe eye infection.
They then spent a combined total of 1,190 days in Sea Life Kelly Tarlton's Turtle Rehabilitation centre, and have since gained a combined total of 15kgs bringing them up to a healthy weight range.
For the past 20 years the rehabilitation centre has rehabilitated and released more than 50 turtles.
Kelly Tarlton's curator, Andrew Christie said it was a rewarding and happy sight for the team to see the turtles back out in the wild today.
"Despite today's positive outcome, not all turtles are as lucky," he said.
"Turtles face a number of threats in the wild including boat strikes and accidental plastic ingestion or entanglement."
Of the seven marine turtle species, five are found in New Zealand waters and all are either endangered or critically endangered.
Mr Christie said the team at Sea Life Kelly Tarlton's aim to educate the public on threats turtles face and encourage behavioral change by choosing to reuse and be mindful of plastic pollution.
SHARE ME