The story of a brave little green turtle.

Alfie pictured with Jennie and Paul
from Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre.

A little green turtle named “Alfie” has found a new home on Green Island (above right) thanks to Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre and Great Adventures.

Alfie, a juvenile turtle approximately 10 years old, was released at Green Island on Valentines Day after successfully recovering from ‘floaters disease’.

Jennifer Gilbert of the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre said Alfie was found floating near Mission Beach about eight weeks ago and was brought into the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre by the rangers from Innisfail.

“He was suffering from ‘floaters disease’ and was quite sick. He had been floating for a while as he had a layer of algae and barnacles on his shell. Without treatment, Alfie may have died from starvation as these animals (with floaters disease) are unable to dive, and therefore cannot feed.”

Great Adventures Environmental Manager, Jason Reynolds said “Green Island was the ideal place to release Alfie as it has a healthy population of juvenile turtles, and the marine-park protected reef also supports significant seagrass beds in the shallows for him to graze on.”

Alfie made his trip out to Green Island aboard a Great Adventures boat, much to the delight of many tourists travelling to the island on their day cruise.

“When he was released, Alfie took off across the seagrass beds and did not look back. This was a great result. The Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre would like to thank Great Adventures for taking him out to the island so he could go back home,” said Ms Gilbert.

Great Adventures is pleased to have been able to assist the Turtle Rehabiliation Centre and congratulates the team of Jennie, Paul and Damian who cared for Alfie, returning him to health.

*Photographs Courtesy of Graeme Bint Island Photography

I hope you enjoyed the above story about a very special little green turtle.

Sue Bayliss. Cairns, Australia.