Two rehabilitated green turtles, Cookie and Gertrude, are being released tomorrow at Lighthouse Beach, Ballina at 8.30m and everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the event.
Cookie the green sea turtle was rescued by volunteer Brian at The Sandon on theAugust 4 and was suffering from floating syndrome. Cookie was unable to eat for more than the first week in care. After being placed on a course of antibiotics he started to recover well and was placed in the pre-release tank after two weeks.
In the pre-release tank ‘he could dive down for his food and that helped release the gas causing the float,’ said a spokesperson from Australian Seabird Rescue in a press release.
‘Cookie only weighed 6kg when he first came in and now weighs 8.9kg. Volunteer Brian will be releasing Cookie back into the ocean after a great rescue and rehab.’
The second turtle that will be release is Gertrude who was rescued at Lennox Heads on September 31.
‘Gertrude didn’t look to bad on the outside, a small amount of barnacle cover but it was clear that she had been knocked around as there were some scratches on her carapace and our vet, Dr Evan Kossak confirmed a small fracture to the carapace,’ said the spokesperson.
‘Within two days Gertrude was eating! Three months later Gertrude is the boss of the pre release tank and is ready to go home.’
Australian Seabird Rescue currently have 12 turtles in care, one seabird, one sea snake, and one freshwater turtle. The hospital is very busy and always welcomes volunteers and donations. For all information about Australian Seabird Rescue please get in touch via Email [email protected]
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