Bon voyage to endangered turtle found at norval beach

EVEN Nemo would take his hat off to the story of Ridley, the olive ridley, who made his long-awaited march into the sea at Mon Repos yesterday.

The last time the endangered creature saw the ocean was January, when he was saved by passerby who noticed a turtle in trouble at Norval Park.

“Someone saw him just floating, and that's a sign they are in trouble,” Mon Repos Conservation Park ranger Jae Milowski said yesterday.

He was promptly taken to Sea World where veterinarians and researchers began to work on him.

“We barely ever see olive ridleys, so there's so much to learn about them,” she said.

With just 500 to 1000 olive ridleys, or lepidochelys olivaceas, nesting each year, time spent with Ridley was invaluable for researchers.

But yesterday it was time for Ridley and three of his new-found friends, to return to their rightful home.

The endangered turtle and three flatbacks, Frank, Squirt and Casper, were released back to the wild by Mon Repos rangers yesterday.

After a bit of help from the rangers it was Ridley who led the way on his return voyage.

Waving goodbye from the shore, Ms Milowski was sad to see the treasured turtle leave, but glad to see him back where he belonged.

“I hope he comes back,” she said.

If you spot any turtles telephone the Marine Strandings line on 1300 130 372.