Treating patients @Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital

Captain Pete the loggerhead turtle is returned home after months of rehabilitation at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital

The Australia Zoo Rescue Unit was called out to a sea turtle rescue in late May 2023 after a concerned member of the public reported seeing a large loggerhead turtle covered in barnacles and showing signs of weakness. This rescue required the team to mobilise a boat to reach the shallow waters of the sandbar that Captain Pete (Captain) had become stranded on.   

Captain was admitted to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital shortly after his rescue with the concerns of being underweight, barely moving and showing signs of infection and severe dehydration. Captain spent several months recovering in our sea turtle ICU receiving around-the-clock care from our dedicated team of vets and nurses. Captain’s recovery was gradual and particular efforts were made to ensure that Captain maintained muscle mass and made substantial weight gain while in care. Upon admission, Captain’s weight came in at 99kg (218 pounds), based on his size Captain should have weighed in excess of 120kg (264 pounds).

In early September, Captain was cleared for release weighing just over 120kg and notably showing signs of more activity. The team assembled to transport Captain via boat back out into the ocean and release him back to his home in the wild. The team at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital are thrilled to have nursed this modern-day dinosaur back to health. It is rewarding moments like these that make us so proud to continue to help protect our wildlife. 

Links:

• Rehabilitating Captain Pete - a stranded loggerhead turtle