140kg endangered loggerhead turtle released at The Pass

SURFERS and beachgoers were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime experience at The Pass recently, when a large, endangered loggerhead turtle was released back into the ocean.

The 140kg male turtle, affectionately named Cheddar, had been found struggling close to shore and appearing close to stranding before being rescued by volunteers from Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue.

Cheddar spent the night in a tank at the not-for-profit’s Ballina facility before being transported to Sea World on the Gold Coast. The organisations have worked closely together since the 2022 Northern Rivers floods.

“We usually take care of juveniles because we don’t have the facilities to take care of such big turtles,” Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue volunteer Livia Marmonti said.

Sea World senior aquarist Rachel Free said the turtle was suffering from floating syndrome, a common but potentially life-threatening condition that sees turtles trapped at the water’s surface due to a build-up of gas in the body cavity or intestines.

Often caused by ingesting marine debris such as plastic bags, the condition can lead to infections or blockages. Affected turtles are unable to dive for food and can become emaciated, sunburnt or vulnerable to predators and boat strikes.

“He was with us for about two weeks and we just gave him our routine care,” Free said. “We did an X-ray to see what his digestive tract looked like, blood work to check for infections and gave him a lot of food. After a few days he was cleared by our vet team to go back.”

Free said Cheddar was as large as it gets for a loggerhead turtle, with a carapace (shell) measuring 98cm in length and a head width of 25cm.

“We don’t get that many in because they are critically endangered – especially males,” she said. “Their gender is determined by the temperature where the eggs are laid so we’re finding in most turtle species that we aren’t getting as many males because of how hot the climate is, so it was nice seeing a big, healthy male turtle being released.”

Marmonti said the release was a special moment for rescuers.

“There were three girls from Sea World who drove down to The Pass and we met them there to help carry the turtle to the ocean,” she said. “As soon as he entered the ocean he swam away quickly between the surfers and left. It was really emotional to be there. I had rescued some adult loggerheads before and unfortunately they didn’t make it, so this was a victory.”