Help save our Sea Turtles
By: AG Society
| September-29-2009
Your support will make a difference.
Help save the Sea Turtle
Of the seven sea turtles found worldwide, six are found in Australian waters and four breed off the coast of WA. Sea turtles are a vital part of our marine ecosystems and are significant for many traditional cultures in coastal regions.
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Species found in WA:
Flatback turtle
Natator depressus Vulnerable
Hawksbill turtle
Eretmochelys imbricata Vulnerable
Green turtle
Chelonia mydas Vulnerable
Loggerhead turtle
Caretta caretta Endangered
Did you know?
· Flatback turtles can swim up to 1300 kms between their feeding grounds in Indonesian waters and nesting areas in Australia.
· Flatback, loggerhead, hawksbill and green turtles grow to a maximum length of 1 m. An adult leatherback turtle can reach up to 2 m in length and weigh up to a tonne.
· Many species of sea turtles are carnivorous, and use their modified mouthparts or beak to shear off sponges or crush small invertebrates.
· Some sea turtles may take up to 50 years to reach sexual maturity and most female sea turtles do not breed every year.
· Australia has the only nesting populations of the flatback turtle in the world, including a site in the Kimberley Region in WA. Other turtle nesting sites in WA include major rookeries for green turtles on islands off Broome; loggerhead turtle sites on Muiron islands and Shark Bay; and hawksbill turtle grounds on Rosemary and Varanus islands.
Chelonia rescue and rehabilitation
In recent years, the AG Society has helped Lesley Baird to buy heaters and pumps for Chelonia Wildlife Rehabilitation & Release, the centre she runs in WA to help sick and injured sea turtles. It’s the only dedicated rehabilitation centre for sea turtles in the state. The pumps and heaters have helped her save dozens of hawksbill, green, loggerhead and flatback turtles – all of which are listed as endangered or vulnerable.
But Lesley needs your help to keep Chelonia open. The AG Society is raising money to help Lesley cover the cost of food, care and general maintenance of the centre. Please donate to help Lesley continue her vital rescue work.
How can you help ?
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