Green turtles released from Pippi Beach, Yamba, NSW

An excited group of around 20 Yamba locals and visitors watched as a rehabilitated juvenile and two hatchling green turtles were released from <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />Pippi Beach, Yamba, Australia, last week (28/04/09)

 

The juvenile green turtle had been found washed ashore at Yamba’s Whiting Beach in late January entangled with fishing line and hooks. It would not have survived, without rehabilitation at the Australian Seabird Rescue facilities in Ballina.

 

The two hatchlings were survivors from a nest where at least  47 turtles hatchlings emerged from their sand nest to make their way to the water earlier this month.

 

Yamba locals Tania Creber and Gab Hawke, who discovered the nest in January had been monitoring it every day.

 

Australian Seabird Rescue (ASR), National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and other community members also began monitoring sand temperature, as this is critical for nesting success.

 

NPWS Ranger Louise Feltus said green turtles generally nest further north in Queensland and this is believed to be the 5th record of a green turtle nest this far south.” 

 

“We have been fortunate with this nest, as we knew when it was laid and expected to hatch. Having locals keeping an eye to report this hatching event, has been fantastic,” Ms Feltus said.

 

“Australian Seabird Rescue has done a fabulous job working with the local community about turtle nests and the best way to help protect them,” she said. 

 

“Green Turtles usually lay about 150 eggs per nest and the hatchlings usually emerge when there is a full moon, and in the middle of the night.” 

 

“However on average, out of every 1000 turtles that hatch, one might survive to adulthood.”