Media
release - 24 August 2009 - Sick and injured
turtles in North Queensland will now be
cared for in a purpose built rehabilitation
facility with the opening of a new Turtle
Hospital at Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville
today.
The Federal Environment
Minister Peter Garrett officially opened
the facility said that the development of
the Reef HQ Turtle Hospital was in response
to an increasing number of turtles requiring
care.
“For many years Reef
HQ has been caring for sick and injured
turtles on an adhoc basis using a makeshift
facility to rehabilitate these animals till
they were well and fit enough to be released
back into the Marine Park,” Minister Garrett
said.
“In recent years the
number of turtles requiring treatment has
continued to increase which moved the staff
at Reef HQ to begin working towards the
establishment of a purpose built turtle
hospital.
“All their hard work
has paid off and today — after 12 months
of planning, development and fundraising
by Reef HQ and the Townsville community
and industry — I am pleased to be opening
a dedicated facility which will rehabilitate
sick and injured turtles, ensure long term
sustainability for the species, and create
a centre of excellence for turtle research.
“In establishing the
facility Reef HQ staff will also be able
to continue their work of educating visitors
about what they can do to ensure turtles
remain an important part of the Reef for
generations to come.
“Reef HQ has been part
of the Townsville landscape for over 20
years and it is that community support coupled
with the generosity of local sponsors and
individuals that has turned the dream of
a dedicated turtle hospital into a reality.”
The biggest threats
to marine turtles are all associated with
human activities including boat strikes,
entanglement in fishing gear and ingestion
of synthetic material such as plastics.
The impact of these threats on turtles has
increased over the last few years in line
with an increase in the population enjoying
the Great Barrier Reef.
The Turtle Hospital
is expected to be fully open for visitors
by late September 2009. It will provide
visitors with an opportunity to see and
learn about the plight of marine turtles
through educational talks and guided tours
of the hospital.
