Baby Turtles Start 1,400km Journey

ABC South West WA

Topic: Native Species

Sunday, 21 Jun 2026, 11:00am

Baby turtles were cared for in Bunbury for two years.

In short:

Two turtles will be released into the wild after two years at a marine rescue sanctuary.

Volunteers said goodbye to the turtles at a ceremony.

What's next?

The turtles will be released in Exmouth, 1,400 kilometres away.

Two rescued turtles will travel 1,400 kilometres to be released back into the wild.

The turtles arrived at a rehabilitation centre in Bunbury after being washed up during winter storms in 2024.

After two years of care, the turtles will be flown to Exmouth to be released into warm waters.

They will journey westward towards Madagascar once returned to the wild.

Tears and cheers

The turtles were like family to staff and volunteers at Bunbury's Dolphin Discovery Centre.

Volunteers, staff, and community members gathered to say goodbye to the turtles.

It was a big moment for the people who helped the turtles since they arrived on Bunbury's beaches.

Marine rescue volunteer Yasmin Taylor said saying goodbye to the turtles was bittersweet.

Volunteer Yasmin Taylor helped care for the turtles.

I'm trying not to cry

Today is tough. I helped care for the turtles, so I've become attached.

It's a great thing, we did our job, the centre is amazing with rehabilitation.

From rehab to release

The turtles each faced challenges after arriving at the centre.

Squirdle is missing a front flipper, so we had to make sure he could navigate the oceans.

Treasure was slow, they go into shock, so Treasure took a while to recover.

After monitoring and assessments, the turtles were cleared for release.

We had X-rays done, no plastics ingested, which was wonderful.

Rescue efforts are not just a drop in the ocean

The turtles were brought to the centre after being discovered by locals on the beach.

Young turtles are often washed ashore during storms in the South West.

Dolphin Discovery Centre's Emily Ehlers says it's important stranded turtles get special care.

People should bring washed-up turtles to wildlife carers for care.

The reason they wash up is because they were kicked out of the Leeuwin Current, so they're cold and exhausted.

If you just put them back in the ocean, they will likely die.

The survival rate of loggerhead sea turtles is extremely low.

The release is a win for the turtles and for a species facing daunting odds.

The turtles were weighed before their journey to Exmouth.

Knowing we've put two juveniles back into the water is important for the species.

The turtles will be flown to Exmouth before being released back into the current.

We wish them well, they're going to go west towards Madagascar.

For aquarist Chantelle Dixon, the release marks the end of years spent watching the turtles grow.

Staff and volunteers gathered to farewell the rescued turtles.

I've been looking after them from tiny babies to now, where I can barely lift them.

It's an emotional time, but I'm happy to have them back in the wild.

Squirdle and Treasure nestled into custom transport crates, with smiles, tears, and well wishes.

Ms Taylor's message captured the mood of the day.

They just need to go home and live their life in our beautiful oceans.

Sunday, 21 Jun 2026, 11:00am

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