SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium Rescue Sea Turtle

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: December 11, 2020 12:45 am

Connie, a green sea turtle, receiving care at SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium

Photo Credit: SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium

A green sea turtle has returned to SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium in Auckland, New Zealand for a second stint in rehabilitation less than 2 years after being released.

Connie the green sea turtle was first released in March 2019 after coming to SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Turtle Rehabilitation Centre in December 2018.

She was found stranded by a fisherman two weeks ago at Rangiputa Beach in Northland who called the Department of Conservation. She is estimated to be between 10 and 15 years old with Andrew Christie, Curator at SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s reporting she is in better condition that when she last reported to the hospital.

Connie, a green sea turtle, receiving care at SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium

Photo Credit: SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium

“Connie first came to us after being found stranded at Henderson Bay. She underwent rehabilitation with us for four months before we released her back into the ocean at the Poor Knights Island Marine Reserve. Over the past year Connie has put on over 5kgs, which shows she has been successful at feeding herself in the wild,” said Andrew.

“We are still yet to determine why Connie washed up a second time, but it highlights the harsh reality of sea turtles’ plight in the wild, with only one in 1,000 sea turtles making it to adulthood. It is also quite remarkable that Connie had returned to the same area where she was first found in December 2018,” continued Andrew.

Currently Connie is suffering with buoyancy issues and must be tube fed by aquarium staff every three days. She is also receiving treatment with an antifungal drug. It is hoped she will recover and return to the ocean towards the end of summer.

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Connie’s rehabilitation is a collaborative effort from SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s, Auckland Zoo and the Department of Conservation, with support from Countdown Supermarkets.

All sea turtles treated and released by the center are given a flipper tag which means they can be identified if found again.

Connie being released after her last time in rehabilitation

Photo Credit: SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium

Learn more about green sea turtles – Green Sea Turtle Fact File | The Animal Facts

Learn more about SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium on their website – SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium