Sea turtles return to wild

Yesterday some of our Zoo team were excited to join our ‘Team Turtle’ partners, the Department of Conservation (DOC) and SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s, and iwi Ngāi Takoto and Ngāti Kahu, to release five Endangered green sea turtles back to the wild!

From late October to late December last year, these precious marine reptiles were among an unprecedented number of green sea turtles to strand on beaches in Rangaunu Harbour, Northland. 

Classified as a native species in Aotearoa New Zealand, green sea turtles are known to spend part of their life cycle in the northern North Island, and while they don’t breed in our waters, they are regularly seen in northland including the Rangaunu Harbour. As our Veterinary Services Manager, Dr James Chatterton explains, when they do strand on our beaches, they are always critically ill.

Sometimes found by members of the public, after being rescued by DOC, these turtles come to the Zoo’s veterinary hospital for triage and intensive care and treatment. If injured, this sometimes also involves surgery. Once stabilised, they are transferred to our Team Turtle colleagues at SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s who put incredible mahi into rehabilitating them to help facilitate their release back to the wild.

Yesterday’s turtle releases at Rangiputa beach, that saw amazing local community involvement, were especially significant as two of the turtles were satellite-tagged as part of a ground-breaking new research project.  

The project, led by DOC Marine Senior Science Advisor, Dr Karen Middlemiss, in partnership with Ngāi Takoto and Ngāti Kahu and with support from the Zoo and SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s, will be the largest satellite tagging study ever undertaken for green turtles in Aotearoa.  

“This is a major research study aimed at understanding how the turtles use our coastlines and harbours. We aim to tag up to 20 turtles over the next three years, and if all goes to plan, the satellite transmitters will track the turtles for up to a year,” says Karen.

“Auckland Zoo and SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s are an amazing bunch of professionals who work tirelessly alongside DOC in the conservation of sea turtles. Pulling together this research team and seeing us collectively contribute to turtle conservation, is an achievement I’m immensely proud of.”

The Zoo’s Veterinary Services Manager, Dr James Chatterton says the Zoo, which has been a Team Turtle partner since 2013, is excited to be contributing to this important mahi.

“Stranded turtles in Aotearoa are often affected by anthropogenic (human-origin) factors including marine pollution, a warming climate, and fishing and boating activities. This satellite tag data will help us understand more about where these taonga are living and feeding, which will help their conservation into the future,” says James.

“Everyone can also directly help these turtles and many other marine species and their ocean environment, by taking all their gear and rubbish home after a beach day or boat trip. In addition, always follow the Maritime NZ/ Nō te rere moana Aotearoa rules for slow boat speeds in coastal waters,” advises James.

Both Ngāi Takoto and Ngāti Kahu whakapapa to the Rangaunu Harbour area, and at the releases, highlighted the important place turtles hold in the culture and history of the Rangaunu Harbour – and the need for people to take care.

“Ngā Honu (sea turtles) have always been in our Rangaunu Harbour they are recorded in our hitori (history) and pukapuka from our ancestry,” says Nina Raharuhi, Hapū Cultural Monitor for Ngāti Kahu.

“They come in from their travels around the sub-tropical islands into Rangaunu for a rest, a bit of shelter and food before heading back out to breed.”

A big concern for Ngāti Kahu is the number of strandings over the last two years.

“Is it a change in water temperature, lack of food, what's in their food, or the increase of micro plastics? That is why we are happy to hear that honu (sea turtles) will be satellite tracked over the next year.”

Nina says it is also an important time to bring awareness.

“Especially to the boaties near and far that these beautiful taonga exist in our harbour. Ata haere (take it slow/be mindful) and kia tupato (be careful) in our harbour of Rangaunu.”