Rescued 80-year-old breeding turtle has been released off Fitzroy Island

Queensland is home to six of the world’s seven turtle species. Sea turtles play a vital role in our ocean’s ecosystem – they maintain sea grass health which provides the habitat for other marine life species and their eggs, shells and hatchlings pro… — **Queensland** is home to **six** of the world’s seven **turtle species**. Sea turtles play a **vital role in our ocean’s ecosystem** – they maintain **sea grass health** which provides the habitat for other marine life species and their eggs, shells and hatchlings provide **vital nutrients that protect our beaches**.

An 80-year-old green sea turtle named Margaret has been released into the ocean following a remarkable three-year long recovery at Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre. Severely malnourished and suffering pneumonia and impaction from marine debris, Margaret was found floating, presumably for months, off the coast of Fitzroy Island by Cairns Dive Centre crew.

More than 80 years old and 1.1 metres in length, she is one of oldest female breeding turtles ever to be rescued and released. The rehabilitation was particularly exciting for the fact that only one in 1,000 turtles reach the age of 30, when they begin to reproduce.

Margaret was affectionately named after one of Australia’s oldest and most determined conservationists, Margaret Deas, who on her 102nd birthday raised $5,000 for the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre by performing as many squats as her age.

Sponsored by Fitzroy Island Resort, the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre is a not-for-profit organisation run by volunteers dedicated to the rehabilitation of sick and injured marine turtles.

For more information visit fitzroyisland.com.

Queensland is home to six of the world’s seven turtle species. Sea turtles play a vital role in our ocean’s ecosystem – they maintain sea grass health which provides the habitat for other marine life species and their eggs, shells and hatchlings provide vital nutrients that protect our beaches.

Of the seven turtle species worldwide, six are classified as threatened or endangered – and all because of preventable human actions.
After surviving in the world’s oceans for more than 120 million years, the world’s turtle populations are now being pushed toward extinction.

Of the seven turtle species worldwide, six are classified as threatened or endangered – and all because of preventable human actions. After surviving in the world’s oceans for more than 120 million years, the world’s turtle populations are now being… — Of the **seven turtle species** worldwide, **six are classified as threatened or endangered** – and all **because of preventable human actions. After surviving** in the world’s oceans for more than **120 million years**, the world’s turtle populations are now being **pushed toward extinction**.

Sarah Hinder8 November 2018