AusLeisure

Four baby Flatback Sea turtles have recently been moved from quarantine to their new home on display in the Rainforest Adventure exhibit at SEA LIFE Melbourne.

The tiny infants, no bigger than the palm of your hand, went on exhibition prior to the recent school holidays, forming part of a conservation project in which SEA LIFE Melbourne will aim to raise the Flatback Sea turtles (which are endemic to Australia) for the first year of their lives, the most critical time for a hatchling in the wild, to ensure they have the best chance of survival before being released in early 2018.

At the end of their yearlong stay each hatchling will be fitted with a miniature solar powered satellite tag to track information on their distances travelled and habitat use once released back to the wild.

This data will provide better understanding of the patterns and needs of Flatback Sea turtles allowing for better conservation and protection of the species and the coastal regions they frequent.

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarist, Brianna Lang explained “we are very excited to be a part of this conservation project and shine a light on the Flatback Sea turtles status in the wild.

“As a vulnerable species it’s important to take action now before their numbers continue to dwindle.

“Flatback Sea turtles are native to Australia and although they have been known to feed in areas as far north as the Indonesian archipelago and the Papua New Guinea coast they, only breed on Australian shores making this project all the more essential.

“A major threat to all Sea turtles is plastic pollution, where possible refuse one use plastic such as straws and coffee cups to help minimise the impact of marine debris or take part in a beach clean-up, like the one’s SEA LIFE Melbourne host, in an effort to collect trash before it enters the water.”

For more information go to www.melbourneaquarium.com.au 

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