It has been a good month for Harry the Hawksbill Turtle, who was recently given a clean bill of health and returned to the ocean off the Mackay coast after spending eight months in care at the Reef HQ Aquarium’s turtle hospital in Townsville.
Harry was found washed up on Illawong Beach suffering from Floaters Syndrome last September (2013), when Claire Barton and Danielle Crespan (Conservation Volunteers Australia) were called to his aid.
He was initially taken to EcoBarge HQ at Airlie, until space at the Reef HQ hospital became available. X-rays revealed Harry’s poor condition was caused by lung contraction, which can be sparked by a parasite or bacterial infection.
Anti-parasite medication, warm water and time at the turtle hospital enabled Harry to make a full recovery and to put on 1.2 kg in weight.
He was recently returned to his rightful place in the waves by Fay Griffin from the Mackay and District Turtle Watch Association, with the help of Ms Barton.
“Harry is looking much stronger and healthier than the last time I saw him,” Ms Barton said.
“Back in September he was covered in algae and barnacles which indicate he had spent lots of time floating at the water surface, and when we put him in the water to test his swimming ability he popped right back up to the surface.
“It was great to see Harry looking so healthy, and to see him swim off so strongly.”