The Fitzroy Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre is a special place dedicated to the care and recovery of sick and injured sea turtles. Located on Fitzroy Island, this non-profit, volunteer-based organisation plays a crucial role in the conservation of these majestic creatures.

Since its establishment in 2000, the centre has grown significantly, with a new facility opening in 2013. This expansion was necessary due to the increasing number of turtles needing help. The new facility boasts cleaner water, larger tanks, and an Education Centre, which has boosted the success rate of turtle rehabilitation from 30% to an impressive 85%, making it one of the highest in Australia.

What to Expect

The centre primarily cares for Green and Hawksbill turtles, which are often brought in from the Great Barrier Reef and Cape York Peninsula. These turtles can stay at the centre for anywhere between six to 24 months, depending on their condition. One common ailment is 'floaters syndrome', where air gets trapped between the turtle's shell and body, affecting their ability to dive for food. If left untreated, this condition can lead to starvation.

Upon arrival, each turtle's care includes daily feeding, with an initial food bill of about $150 per week per turtle. Sick turtles typically spend at least six months recovering, and some may take even longer. Once a turtle recovers, a satellite tracker is attached to its shell to monitor its movements post-release, helping researchers gather valuable data on their behaviour and migration patterns.

Visiting the Centre

Educational tours are available at the Fitzroy Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre exclusively for guests staying in the Resort or travelling on the Fitzroy Flyer. Tours run Wednesday to Sunday at 2:15 pm and 2:45 pm, lasting approximately 30 minutes. A maximum of 15 guests are allowed per tour, accompanied by a guide. The cost is $20 for adults and $12 for children aged 4-13, with infants free of charge. Children 12 years and under must be accompanied by an adult. It's best to check availability and book your spot through the Fitzroy Island Resort reception or upon arrival at FISH, subject to availability.

Tour Details

1. Tour Times: 2:15 pm & 2:45 pm, Wednesday to Sunday
2. Booking: Required through Fitzroy Island Resort reception or FISH
3. Duration: Approximately 30 minutes

Meet Magic the Turtle

One of the centre's notable success stories is Magic, a Green Turtle rescued by Mission Beach Charters. She was suffering from starvation due to diminishing sea grass beds, which are the primary food source for green sea turtles. Sponsored by Reef Magic, Magic was the first turtle to be released with a tracker, and her movements are still being followed today. Sponsorships like these are crucial as they help cover the costs of food and care for the turtles.

Sea Turtles of the Great Barrier Reef

Australia is home to six of the world's seven species of marine turtles, including the Flatback, Green, Hawksbill, Leatherback, Loggerhead, and Olive Ridley turtles. These ancient mariners have been around for over 100 million years, surviving since the time of the dinosaurs. They are remarkable creatures, with some species like the Leatherback capable of diving up to 1,000 metres deep in search of food.

Sea turtles have fascinating life cycles and behaviours. They can live between 60 to 80 years, but only one in a thousand hatchlings survive to maturity. They are known for their long migrations, with the longest recorded journey being nearly 4,000 km by a Green Turtle from the Chagos Islands to the coast of Somalia.

Interesting Turtle Facts

1. Leatherback turtles can dive up to 1,000 metres deep.
2. Baby turtles' sex is determined by the temperature of the sand where they hatch, with warmer sand producing more females.
3. Turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, which can be fatal as it blocks their airway system.
4. Raine Island hosts the world's largest green turtle rookery, with an annual nesting population of 30,000 females.
5. All species of marine turtles have a similar life cycle, growing slowly and taking decades to reach sexual maturity.
6. A fully grown leatherback turtle can reach a length of 2 metres and weigh up to 900 kg.
7. Baby turtles spend 20-30 years riding the ocean currents before returning to their birthplace to nest.
8. Marine turtles have the ability to detect the Earth's magnetic field and use it as an orientation cue.

Visiting the Fitzroy Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre offers a unique opportunity to learn about these incredible creatures and the efforts to protect them. It's a chance to see conservation in action and understand the challenges these animals face in the wild. By supporting the centre, visitors contribute to the ongoing protection and study of sea turtles, ensuring these ancient mariners continue to grace our oceans for generations to come.