Animals are brought in suffering from disease, starvation and/or injuries caused by boats, discarded fishing gear or ingested plastic that is mistaken for food. Many of the turtles brought in from the Great Barrier Reef are suffering from 'floaters disease'.
Volunteers and donations from local businesses have kept the centre running. More than 170 sick and injured animals have been brought in for treatment over the past 10 years. Founded in 2000, the centre receives no funding from the Government as the rehabilitation of sick and injured animals does not currently come under any conservation or environmental initiative.
Species of turtles in care at the centre include Green, Hawksbill and Olive Ridley turtles
Your Contribution
Volunteers make a huge difference to this project. Since the centre first started over 10 years ago the success rate in rehabilitating sick and injured animals and returning them to the ocean has improved to more than 85%, from 20-30%.
Volunteers contribute by assisting staff in:
- Rehabilitating sick and injured turtles
- Helping to promote humane and sustainable practices through co-operation and education initiatives
- Cleaning turtle tanks
- Feeding rescued turtles
- Reef monitoring research
- Providing assistance when requested, in an effort to rescue turtles in distress
