A JUVENILE green sea turtle known as Lorelei has been successfully rehabilitated and returned to the ocean at Lighthouse Beach, Port Macquarie after almost a year in care at the Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary.
Lorelei was rescued near Crowdy Head in May last year with significant injuries and a complex medical condition known as floating syndrome, which prevents turtles from diving due to a build-up of gas beneath their shell, leaving them vulnerable on the surface.
“Due to that floating syndrome, she was hit by a boat or a jet ski, and it smashed into the top of her shell and caused damage,” said Sanctuary managing director Tiga Cross.
Due to the nature of her injuries, Lorelei – who is between 10 and 15 years old – remained in care far longer than most turtles.
“They typically only stay in care for three to six months,” Tiga said.
After almost 12 months of treatment and monitoring, wildlife carers determined Lorelei was ready to return to her natural habitat.
Lighthouse Beach was selected as the release site due to it being the most practical and its proximity to Crowdy Bay where Lorelei was rescued.
“Lighthouse and Town Beach have been two beaches that we’ve used in the past that have got quite a good direction out to the Solitary Islands and quite a calm beach,” she said.
The Sanctuary rescues around 200 turtles each year.
By Sis HIGGINS
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