Turtles Currently in Care 2023
We currently have one turtle in care at the Whitsunday Turtle Rescue Centre.
Brucie received 31.07.23
Brucie is an adult green sea turtle found floating and caught up in fishing line around both front flippers and line was coming out from his mouth. He was transferred from Halliday Bay to the WTRC. We took him for an x-ray to see if he had swallowed a hook but no hook was found on the x-ray. After only one day in care Brucie started eating so he is doing very well in care and we hope to release him back to Halliday Bay once we are certain no more fishing line is in his tummy.
Turtles receiving ongoing care up at Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre.
Tommy received 17.07.19
Tommy is a juvenile green sea turtle who came in from Seaforth on 17th July 2019, he was suffering from float and Fibropapillomatosis virus, he recovered very well from his float and was transferred the Cairns Turtle Rehab Hospital on 20th September 2019 for further treatment to help with the virus. We are hoping he will make a full recovery.
Raine received 5.6.21
This beautiful adult female green sea turtle was found not being able to dive at Camila Beach, thanks to a very dedicated volunteer for bringing her all the way up safely into our care. She is suffering from Fluke and float and had issues with her vision. After months in our care, we decided we needed to transport her up to Cairns for specialist treatment. Fingers crossed Raine will make a full recovery.
Turtles Previously in Care in 2023
Curly received 13.09.23 – 18.9.23
Curly is a juvinelle Green sea turtle and was found at Edgecombe Bay in Bowen, Curly is malnourished and was covered in algae and barnacles. Bstar looked after this precious little turtle and then safely transported Curly to the WTRC where we had high hopes for Curly but he sadly passed away. He will be going up to JCU for a future necropsy.
Huey received 5.09.23 – 6.09.23
Huey a juvenile Green Turtle and was found on the tide line at the entrance of Shute Harbour. He was extremely weak, malnourished and covered in algae. Huey, sadly died the first night in care. Will be transported to JCU for a future necropsy.
Hope received 27.08.23 – 4.9.23
Hope is a juvenile Hawksbill Turtle and was found on the tide line at Grasstree Beach near Sarina. She was extremely weak and malnourished. Thanks to the MDTW and their crew that found her to safely transport Hope into our care. We did all we could but sadly Hope did not make a full recovery.
Henry received 30.4.23- 2.7.23
Henry is a juvenile green sea turtle that was found high above the tide line on Wreck Island near Cape Hillsborough. Henry was transferred by Steve from MDTW to monitor Henry to rule out any float or other illness. Only after a few days in care Henry was eating and sitting on the bottom of the tank, although Henry did start to lose his float he was not interested in food and sadly passed away and was transferred to JCU in Townsville to undergo a future necropsy.
Ernest received 29.4.23-3.7.23
Ernest is a male adult green sea turtle that was found at Cape Palmerston by a family swimming in circles and after a few days near shore crawled up the beach high above the tideline. Claire and Steve two Mackay locals safely transported Ernest to the WTRC for ongoing care. Once in care we noticed he did have sunburn to his carapace and was treated for fluke, Ernest has already started eating squid so was is a great sign but he sadly passed away.
Lola received 1.11.22 – 15/5/23
Lola a juvenile green sea turtle that was found at Turtle Bay, Whitsunday Island suffering from float. She was first spotted by our Eco Barge crew and was later brought in with the help of a sailing vessel. Lola was in a fair condition but was unable to dive due to her float. She did start to show good signs and was eating her food after a few months in care but sadly never lost her float and passed away. Lola was transported to JCU in Townsville for a future necropsy.
Turtles Previously in Care in 2022
Bilby received 2.11.22 – released 22.12.22
This beautiful green sea turtle was found up at Abbott Point by locals who patrol the beaches each day for this area. They then transferred Bilby to us for ongoing care. Once in care we noticed she was very skinny, so we helped feed her prawns and squid to put on some much-needed weight. The team at North Queensland Bulk Ports, aided in her release, collecting and releasing her back at Abbott point to once again swim in her home grounds. Bilby was fitted with an electronic tracker prior to release.
Crystal received 25.9.22 – 1.10.22
This poor juvenile green sea turtle was found at Midge Point and was safely transported into our care, Crystal was extremely sick, one of the worst we have received to date. We made her as comfortable as possible but she sadly died in care. We will be transferring Crystal up to JCU in Townsville for a future necropsy.
Queen Bee received 22.9.22 – released 8.10.22
This beautiful adult female green sea turtle came into our care very weak and suffering from float. After only a few days of rest, she started to eat and show good signs of a full recovery. After not long in care she lost her float, and we released her back at Conway beach ready for breeding season. (Queen Bee has had a few names, Harriett, Bobbie and Queen Bee).
Jamie received 11.9.22 – 18.9.22
Jamie was a juvenile green sea turtle was found at Smallies Beach, near Mackay covered in algae. Once safely in care we found he was also suffering from float and server malnourished. Our turtle care team did our very best to help him to hopefully make a full recovery but he sadly passed away and will go up to JCU in Townsville for a future necropsy.
Sam received 4.8.22 – 8.9.22
Sam was a juvenile green sea turtle was found floating offshore down at Halliday Bay by a local resident and was rescued and safely delivered into our care the same day early August. Once in care Sam was found to be suffering from float and malnourishment. After a short time in care Sam sadly passed away and will be sent up to JCU in Townsville for a future necropsy.
Eminem received 24.1.22 – released 7.04.22
This is one lucky, shark attack surviving, green sea turtle! Thanks to BSTAR up in Bowen for helping to safely rescue this turtle so we could bring him down into our centre for ongoing care. Eminem healed so well, despite losing one back flipper and once all his wounds healed, we released him from Cannonvale Beach to swim once again in our beautiful waters.
Shimo received 19.12.21 – released 7.05.22
This little cutie juvenile hawksbill turtle was found suffering from float at the mouth of Proserpine river by a local resident. They successfully managed to rescue Shimo from becoming a crocodile snack and bring him safely into our care. Once in care we could confirm Shimo was suffering from float, but otherwise very active and healthy. Shimo lost his float after five months in care and was released back into the Whitsunday waters in May.
Freda received 8.3.21 – released 2.12.22
Freda was found by a staff member on Day Dream Island suffering from severe float, he managed to safely rescue this juvenile green sea turtle and with the support of Cruise Whitsundays Freda was safely brought into our care for ongoing treatment. She was found to be suffering from float, and after a few months with us she was transported to Cairns Turtle Rehab centre for ongoing treatment. After a few name changes, Freda was successfully released up in Cairns late 2022.
Turtles Previously in Care in 2021
Phoebe also known as Billie – Hawksbill
This beautiful healthy Hawksbill was found with fishing line coming out of her mouth, thanks to her rescuer was safely brought into our care, an x-ray showed she had swallowed a large hook. She was then taken to Jennie Gilbert in Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre to undergo surgery to hopefully remove the hook. The surgery was a success and this lucky turtle was released in December 2021 and had a tracker installed. She took only a few short months to swim down the coast back to the beautiful water of the Whitsundays. Click on this link to see her movements. A huge thank you to the team up in Cairns for such a great success story. https://citizensgbr.org/explore/reef-tracks/ctrc-billie
Brooke – Green Turtle
Brooke was safely delivered to us thanks to Mackay District Turtle Watch at the beginning of November, she has surprised us all as when she came into care she was malnourished, weak and had a slight float, after only a few weeks in care she found her hunger again and lost her float. Brooke made a full recover in just one month and was released again back at Blacks Beach thanks to Mackay District Turtle Watch.
Gloria – Green Turtle
Gloria is an adult Green Sea turtle and has had a previous injury of a missing front flipper, she was also suffering from slight float. We transferred Gloria up to Cairns for specialist care but she sadly passed away.
Leyla – Green Turtle
Leyla was found inside Coral Sea Marina suffering from float and unable to dive. She is doing well in care and starting to show signs of recovery. Leyla made a full recovery and was released up in Cairns the first week of December.
Earl – Green Turtle
Earl was found by two of our amazing turtle carers whilst sailing on their boat. Earl was found floating amongst the mangroves up a creek near Earlando’s Resort, Cape Gloucester. Earl is was suffering from float and after five months in care Earl sadly passed away.
August – Green Turtle
This beautiful juvenile green sea turtle was found off Hayman Island by a Jet ski driver, once they noticed August was unable to dive they gave her to the crew of Red Cat Adventures who safely transported her into our Care at the WTRC. Once in care we noticed she was definitely suffering from float, but a good sign is she has started eating. Our team gave her all our TLC and we are so happy to celebrate her release back at Hayman Island on the 5th of November.
Coco – Green Turtle
Coco is an adult female green turtle and was found on the mud flats at Mandalay Point. She did have an old boat strike wound on the top of her carapace and was only slightly malnourished with only a few day in care she started eating which is was a top sign and she was released once we were confident she was back to full health after a few weeks in care back to her feeding grounds of Mandalay.
Bumpy – Green Turtle
This beautiful green turtle was found not being able to dive at Palm Bay Resort on Long Island, she was safely transported to our WTRC and is suffering from float she has started to eat so we hold hope for this magic little turtle.
Rocky – Green Turtle
Rocky was lucky to be found on the rocks of Shoal Point by Sue, a member of Mackay Turtle Watch. They then safely delivered this very weak and malnourished turtle in to our care. Rocky is very weak and we have all our hopes that Rocky will fight for a full recovery. Rocky sadly passed away due to being too sick for recovery.
McCready – Green Turtle
This turtle was lucky to be found by her rescuer’s at McCready’s Creek in Mackay. She was suffering from float and we are happy she finally lost her float. Thanks to the team of Mackay District Turtle watch for bringing her safely into our care and releasing her once again where she was found.
Turtles Previously in Care in 2020
Corkie – Loggerhead
This adult Loggerhead was found suffering from float and covered in algae and barnacles. Corkie was delivered to us along with Donatella thanks to the team Mackay Turtle Watch. Corkie after three months in care finally lost her float, and was released in January 2021.
Skye – Green Turtle
Skye was found south of Mackay suffering from float and had a spear injury on her carapace. She is one lucky turtle to escape her capture. With much love and care from our turtle team she lost her float and her injury healed and was released back at Carmilla thanks to Kim from Quoin Island Turtle Rehab Centre on her way down south when delivering Dodge back to Curtis Island for release on the 9th of December.
Dodge – Green Turtle
Dodge a juvenile green sea turtle was found weak and suffering from float at Curtis Island. He was safely transferred into our care for ongoing care due to injuries on his carapace. Within a relative short amount of time he healed his wounds and lost his float. Kim from Quoin Island Turtle Rehab centre released Dodge where he was found around the waters of Curtis Island on the 9th of December.
Donatella – Hawksbill
This beautiful Juvenile Hawksbill was found at Mackay suffering from float and was transported to our care thanks to the team of Mackay Turtle Watch. Donatella once in care started eating which was a great sign of a successful recovery, with a bit of love and care we once again released her back to the Mackay waters along with the team from Mackay Turtle Watch on the 19th November.
Flippy – Green Turtle
This poor juvenile green sea turtle was found floating on her back in Turtle Bay, Whitsunday Island by some cruising yachties. Thanks to them and Cruise Whitsundays she was safety brought into care. Flippy lost her floating condition and was released fit and healthy on Wednesday 21st October.
Annette – Green Turtle
Annette was rescued down at Newry Island thanks to Mackay Turtle Watch, this poor juvenile Green was suffering from float and malnutrition. Our turtle team worked their magic to help her lose her float and was released along with Fisher at Seaforth Esplanade around 11am Thursday 15th October.
Fisher – Green Turtle
This juvenile green sea turtle was found at St Helens, and was stuck sideways in the sand. Fisher was safely transported to our centre and showed signs of float and dehydration. After a relatively short time in care Fisher was released at Seaforth Esplanade around 11am Thursday 15th October.
Bob – Hawksbill
Bob a beautiful Hawksbill was found in Mackay and was delivered thanks to the Mackay Turtle Watch to the WTRC. Bob was suffering from float, with some time Bob lost his float and was released back into the Mackay Waters thanks to the team at Mackay Turtle Watch.
Tommy – Green Turtle
Tommy was found covered in mud by locals at Louisa Creek, and Mackay Turtle watch helped deliver Tommy to our centre for ongoing care. Tommy was very malnourished and extremely weak. Tommy sadly passed away after a week in care.
Cosette – Green Turtle
Cosette was found suffering from float in Mackay and after a few weeks in care she started eating and losing her float. We released Cossette with the Mackay Turtle Watch team and she now is swimming back in her waters off Mackay.
Jack – Green Turtle
This poor turtle was found at Hamilton Island suffering from sever starvation and float. Only after one night in care this very sick turtle passed away. Jack will go to JCU for a future necropsy.
Green Turtle
Found with severe boat strike and this poor turtle sadly died the first night in care, due to the extensive injuries sustained.
Precious – Loggerhead
We had the honor of looking after an incredibly special turtle from Bowen that was entangled in fishing line and became weak and malnourished. Thanks to Tracey from BSTAR in Bowen for providing the initial care and then after much love and care at the WTRC she was then taken back to BSTAR for a successful release for Precious.
Shelley – Green Turtle
Shelley was found at the North End of Harbour Beach, thanks to Mackay Turtle Watch. She was found extremely week and was delivered into our care. We were surprised she made it through the first night… although only five days later she sadly died due to being so sick.
Connie – Green Turtle
Connie was an adult female green sea turtle found at Midge Point, suffering from float and swimming around in circles. Connie was a very distressed turtle and had fluke on the brain as she had a head tilt and swam in circles even in care, after much care and attention to help her lose her fluke she sadly died one month after being brought into the WTRC.
Quarantina – Green Turtle
We collected Q after Tracey from BSTAR in Bowen provided the initial care required for this special juvenile green, Q was needing a few more weeks in care to ensure she was passing squid and had a full bill of health. She was then delivered back to BSTAR for release.
Aries – Hawksbill
Thanks to a staff member on Hamilton Island notices Aries, as juvenile Hawksbill was unable to dive, distress and swimming around in circles. She as then rescued and safely delivered to the WTRC for ongoing care. She was not in a good way at all and after a month in care sadly passed away. Aries has now been delivered to JCU in Townsville to undergo a necropsy to hopefully find out the cause of death. To be updated once the report comes back on the findings of Aries.
Demi – Green Turtle
Demi a female adult green sea turtle is nothing short of a miracle, she had suffered a horrible injury to her jaw when she would have been very young and learnt over the course of her life to still feed. She was found at Eimeo Creek in Mackay and because of her injury the first thought was this was a fresh injury, after two weeks in care she was showing full signs of health and was released back at Eimeo creek.
Bella – Loggerhead
Bella was found down at Bucasia beach, Mackay in a very weak and malnourished state. She was delivered to the WTRC where she did not pull through the night. Bella is now up at JCU in Townsville to undergo a future necropsy.
Turtles Previously in Care in 2019
Luigi – Green Turtle
Luigi is a juvenile green turtle who came into care on 9th October, he was very malnourished and lethargic, despite all our care and love, Luigi peacefully passed away on 11th November.
Mason – Green Turtle
Mason is an adult male Green Turtle who arrived in care on 7th October, it was clear that Mason had just been basking on the beach and was otherwise very healthy. We cleaned him up, fed him and monitored him for 5 days before releasing him on 12th October.
Striker – Green Turtle
Striker is an adult Green turtle found in Mackay on 20th September, she had a tag which we looked into and found that she had been tagged nesting in Wreck Island in 1983 and then again in 1999. She was very old and sadly passed away in care on 23rd September.
Hazel – Green Turtle
Hazel is a sub-adult green turtle found in the tidal area in front of Cane Cockies Beach, Shute Harbour on 13th July 2019. She was found entangled in fishing line and lures and had a severed front right flipper from the entanglement. Hazel is doing well in care so far, such an injury will take some time to heal. After a magnificent recovery, Hazel was released back into the Whitsunday waters on 9th October 2019.
Anastasia – Green Turtle
Anastasia was found on the mudflats at Port of Airlie on 27th July 2019, once in care it was clear that she had just been basking in the sun. She was released back out into the Whitsunday waters.
Bruce – Green Turtle
Bruce is a juvenile green turtle found on Half Tide Beach, Mackay on 28th June 2019. He was suffering from float and had a heavy barnacle and algae load. He did amazingly well in care, and was able to be released on 14th August 2019.
Luna – Green Turtle
Luna is a juvenile green turtle found near the VMR Boat ramp on 2nd June 2019. She had a heavy barnacle and algae load, she had no other signs of illness or injury so she was cleaned up and released back into the Whitsunday waters on 6th June 2019.
Whitsunday Turtle Rescue Centre History
Since May 2013, 110 turtles have been cared for at the Whitsunday Turtle Rescue Centre, with 54 turtles making a remarkable recovery and being able to be released back into the wild.