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‘Hookie’ The Green Turtle To Begin New Adventure ‘Hookie’, the green turtle rescued from the Rockpool last week with a fishing hook embedded in his flipper, will begin a new adventure tomorrow as he is released off Magnetic Island. Reef HQ Aquarium Aquarist Paul Groves said ‘Hookie’ had made a great recovery following surgery to remove the hook from his flipper. “Since his dramatic ordeal ‘Hookie’ has been recovering in Reef HQ Aquarium’s Turtle Rehabilitation Centre where he has been dining on squid and gaining strength. “He is now fully recovered and ready to continue on with his Great Barrier Reef journey.” ‘Hookie’ will be transported to Magnetic Island via the car barge tomorrow at 10.30am and will be released at Cockle Bay. Mr Groves said ‘Hookie’ has been tagged by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service staff to enable them to learn more about turtle behaviours and the distances they travel. “We ask anyone who sees a marked or tagged turtle contact their nearest Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service office. “We also strongly urge anyone who sees a sick, injured or dead turtle, whale, dolphin or dugong to please call the EPA Hotline on 1300 130 372.” Mr Groves said six out of the world’s seven species of marine turtles are found in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and all are protected species. “Turtles face a number of threats including boat strike, loss of their habitat, disease, human interference, pollution and marine debris.” Townsville City Council and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service staff rescued ‘Hookie’ from the Rockpool last Wednesday and bought him to Reef HQ Aquarium’s Turtle Rehabilitation Centre following a phone call from a concerned resident who saw someone put ‘Hookie’ in the Rockpool. ‘Hookie’ is a half metre long green turtle weighing 15.8kg. |
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