One Flip and Jerry head north

Turtles One Flip and Jerry began their recovery journeys at the Naragebup Rockingham Regional Environment Centre in their own way, but left together last Thursday, destined for the North West’s warm waters.

The two turtles were released thanks to the WA Marine Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre.

Naragebup chairwoman Pauline Whitehead said the centre kept injured turtles in warm water, looked after them and exercised them until they were fit enough to return to the wild.

After One Flip and Jerry left, Mrs Whitehead said it would be the first time the centre had no turtles in eight years.

“We have been helping turtles for over eight years and in that time we have released more than 150 back up north,” she said.

Mrs Whitehead said each turtle had a story and an individual character.

“One Flip is a loggerhead turtle who has been with us for 18 months — he was found on the beach with one flipper missing and he was small and sick,” she said.

“Jerry, a green sea turtle, has been with us for four months and he was found near Bunbury, there was actually two found together and we named them Tom and Jerry, unfortunately Tom didn’t make it.

“When Jerry first arrived we had to liquidise squid and feed him with a drip — he has come an awful long way.”

With a strong passion for wildlife Mrs Whitehead said the team always grew fond of the turtles they rehabilitated.

“It is sad in a way but at the same time it is what we are here for,” she said. “All seven species of marine turtles are all endangered, so every one we can put back counts,” she said.

Mrs Whitehead urged anyone who found a marine turtle on the beach to rescue it with a damp towel and take it to the centre.