- SEA LIFE, Turtle Rescue Centre
Our turtle species
Of the seven marine turtle species, 5 are found in New Zealand waters they are either endangered or critically endangered. Experiences like Turtle Rescue help educate the broader public on how their behavior in and around the water can impact local marine life.
Current patients recovering at our Turtle Hospital
Smee
This temporary resident is a green sea turtle found in the Ōmokoroa region. It was accidentally hooked by a fisherman and they did the right thing by calling 0800 362 468 (0800 DOC HOT) immediately.
During triage assessment at Auckland Zoo, the vet team discovered a second hook which had been ingested for quite some time. The older hook had a thick layer of abnormal tissue around it and the point of one hook as within a few mm of the heart and lungs.
Both hooks were successfully removed and the turtle will now continue to recover and be monitored by our animal welfare team.
It's doing well so far and enjoying time at Turtle Bay.
Our aquarists have given Smee as its nickname, named after Captain Cook's best friend and loyal first mate in the Peter Pan films.
Te Ahuru
This green sea turtle was found by a local who found it washed up on its carapace (top shell) in the Houhora region in the Far North. After our Team Turtle partner DOC made contact with the person regarding the turtle, it was arranged to be driven down to Auckland Zoo’s NZCCM for a veterinary assessment.
It presented with only dehydration and a slight buoyancy issue, therefore the vets gave this turtle the green light to enter the rehabilitation phase at SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Auckland where it will continue to receive the care it needs to be release ready.
Our Team have affectionately given this green sea turtle the name "Te Ahuru", the name means “To Protect and Nuture” in te reo Māori.
When Te Ahuru first arrived at the rehabilitation centre, it weighed in at 13kg, after a month with SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's, it’s made a positive weight gain of 1.6kg to weigh in at 14.6kg.
Some of our past patients at our Turtle Hospital
Taka is an Eastern Pacific green turtles are also referred to as black sea turtles and native to waters near Costa Rica and the Galápagos Islands, which means Taka is a long way from home! This species is classified as endangered, with populations decreasing due to overfishing and plastic pollution.
Taka was found at Takapuna Beach in May 2020, he was suffering from exhaustion, dehydration and low body temperature.
Taka was released at the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve in April 2022. Find out about the release here.
The smallest loggerhead we have had under our care, Puck, only weighed 180g when it was found on Ninety Mile Beach in July 2020. Puck was dehydrated and covered in barnacles. It was very uncommon to see turtle hatchlings in New Zealand due to the cold water temperatures. Puck was under our care until he was bigger and stronger.
Puck was released at the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve in April 2022 weighing a healthy 2.2kg. Find out about the release here.
Delta
Kibou
This juvenile loggerhead was found washed up on Muriwai Beach with a bad lung infection in October 2019. Luckily, with the help of the Department of Conservation and Auckland Zoo, we have been able to clear up this infection, and gain an impressive 13kgs ahead of his release.
Kibou was released in March 2021. Find out about the release here.
Toby
Toby a young green sea turtle found outside Whangarei in July 2018. Despite his small size, Toby is packed full of attitude and spends most of his time scratching his back against his favourite rock in his Turtle Rescue display.
Toby was release off the coast of Tutukaka in March 2019.
Find out more about the release here.
Jaxon
Jaxon the loggerhead turtle who has been stealing the hearts of the team since his arrival in an ice-cream container in October 2017. Jaxon was found stranded at 90 Mile Beach with a severe lung infection. Following several weeks of treatment, Jaxon regained his attitude and size, growing from 1.89 kg to a healthy 7.32 kg.
Jaxon was released together with Toby in March 2019.
Find out more about the release here.
Calvin
Calvin arrived the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre in November 2018, after he was rescued in the far north.
At the time of his rescue, Calvin was in a worse condition of any turtle cared for at the aquarium, weighing just 11kg, but after 14 months of continuous monitoring and rehabilitation, he was finally well enough to be released back to its natural habitat.
Calvin was release into the ocean at Rangiputa Beach in March 2020.
Find out more about the release here.
Discover More About...
Our Turtle Rehabilitation Program
Kelly Tarlton's Marine Wildlife Trust
Colorful Fish Species
