Two Rescued Loggerhead Turtles Embark on 1,400km Journey Home

Two rescued loggerhead turtles are set to embark on a 1,400 kilometre journey to be released back into the wild.

The turtles, Squirdle and Treasure, arrived exhausted and dehydrated at a rehabilitation centre in Bunbury, in WA's South West, after being washed up during winter storms in 2024.

After two years of care, the turtles will be flown to Exmouth, to be released into warm waters near Ningaloo Reef.

It is anticipated they will journey westward towards Madagascar once returned to the wild.

Tears and cheers

After two years in care, the pair of turtles were considered family by staff and volunteers at Bunbury's Dolphin Discovery Centre.

Volunteers, staff and community members gathered to say goodbye as the turtles embarked on the final stage of their remarkable recovery journey.

It was a big moment for the people who have helped the turtles since they arrived on Bunbury's beaches.

Marine rescue volunteer Yasmin Taylor said farewelling the turtles was bittersweet.

"I'm trying not to cry," she said.

"Today is tough. I have helped in the care and animal husbandry of these guys, so I've become quite attached.

"It's a great thing, we have done our job, the centre is amazing with the rehabilitation side of things."

From rehab to release

The turtles each faced challenges after arriving at the centre.

"Because Squirdle is missing a front flipper, we had to make sure he could navigate the oceans and there were no buoyancy issues," Ms Taylor said.

"Treasure was a little bit slow. They go into a state of shock, so Treasure took a little while to come back from that."

After extensive monitoring and veterinary assessments, the duo were cleared for release.

"We had some X-rays done, no plastics ingested, which was wonderful. They have now been vet cleared, so they're ready to go home for their big journey," Ms Taylor said.

Rescue efforts not just a drop in the ocean

The turtles were brought to the centre after being discovered by locals on the beach.

Dolphin Discovery Centre's Emily Ehlers said it was common for young turtles to be washed ashore during storms in the South West.

She said it was important people brought in washed up turtles for care by wildlife carers.

"The reason they've washed up is because they were kicked out of the Leeuwin Current, so they're generally going to be quite cold and exhausted,"

"If you just put them back in the ocean, it is almost 100 per cent likely they're going to die.

The survival rate of loggerhead sea turtles is extremely low, with only one in every 1,000 hatchlings surviving to maturity.

Mrs Ehlers said the release was not only a win for the turtles, but also for a species facing daunting odds.

"Knowing we've put two juveniles back into the water is really important for the species," she said.

The pair will be flown to Exmouth before travelling by boat to the Exmouth Continental Shelf where they will be released back into the current.

"We wish them well. We are really excited, they're going to go west towards Madagascar," Mrs Ehlers said.

For aquarist Chantelle Dixon, the release marks the fruitful end of years spent watching the turtles grow.

"I've been looking after them from tiny little babies that fit in the palm of my hand to now, where I can barely even lift them,"

"It's an emotional time but I'm so happy to have them back in the wild."

As Squirdle and Treasure nestled into custom transport crates, there were smiles, tears and plenty of well wishes.

Ms Taylor's message captured the mood of the day.

"They just need to go home and live their life in our beautiful oceans."