My first experience in Australia was visiting Fitzroy island’s sea turtle rehabilitation center. We were able to assist in food preparations as well as cleaning and maintaining the sea turtle tanks. The turtles had similar diets that consisted of prawns, cuddle fish, shrimp, bait fish, and lettuce heads but each turtle had it’s unique preparation for it’s meal. For instance, one turtle preferred only cuddle fish tentacles rather than the whole fish itself. Another turtle ate all of the protein that it was offered but mostly preferred the prawns as it’s main meal. The main volunteers of the rehab center also showed us how to clean the filter bags for the turtle tanks as well as how to siphon the dirty water out of the bottom of the tanks.

So far, I was able to experience working with the turtles for two days. I really enjoyed learning how to care for them as well as learn their story on why they are in the rehab center and when they will be released. My two favorite turtles at the Fitzroy rehab center were Ella and Margaret. Ella is a green sea turtle that was struck by a boat and had her shell split right open down the middle. With a little help from the rehab crew, they were able to patch her up and she is actually ready to be released back into the wild in a few days. She has a very spunky personality and enjoyed getting her shell scratched. Margaret is also a green sea turtle and is the biggest as well as the oldest one they have at the center. She is about 100 years old and still kicking. While I was there on the second day, I was able to feed her and she happened to hit an impressive record of 150 cuddle fish! Even after her feeding, she was given a whole head of lettuce and chomped that right up. Margaret was admitted to the rehab because she was found very underweight and overall wasn’t stable. After seeing her at the rehab on Monday and Tuesday, she looks healthier than ever but still has a bit of rehabilitation to go before she is released.

I have one more day to go back to the island before leaving and am excited to assist with their everyday feedings and maintenance one last time. The experience alone of just working with these turtles has really opened my eyes about marine life and shows me how precious each individual life is.