New life beckons turtles at Poor Knights

First it was a 163km road trip from Auckland to Tutukaka for Ron and Noggin.

Then it was a 22km boat ride to a world-famous dive spot.

But for the two rehabilitated turtles the final destination was the start of a new life back at sea.

align="right"/>

Ron, the hawksbill turtle and, Noggin, a green turtle, were released after midday yesterday into the warm waters at the Poor Knights Islands after months of rehabilitation at Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World in Auckland.

The critically endangered hawksbill is usually found only as far south as Queensland, but no one told juvenile Ron who washed up on 90 Mile Beach last July.

Hawksbill turtles spend most of their lives in shallow lagoons and coral reefs, feeding on sea sponges, algae, jellyfish and sea anemones.

An ailing Noggin was found by Muriwai beachgoers in October 2010 The green turtle is a visitor to New Zealand in summer, but is usually found in tropical and subtropical seas throughout the world. Adults are herbivorous and eat mostly sea-grass and travel great distances between feeding grounds. The juveniles are known to eat a plethora of marine invertebrates.

Although they are protected and are on the endangered list, they are still hunted for their flesh and eggs.

Yesterday, the turtles were happy to rest among dive bags at the rear of Dive! Tutukaka's Perfect Day boat on the sea leg of their journey.

Dan Godoy, a PhD student with Massey University who is studying green turtles, said both appeared to be juveniles between 7 and 10 years old. Turtles mature at about 40, and can live up to 150 years.

Both turtles weighed in at close to15kg, but green turtles can reach 216kg.

Mr Godoy said the Poor Knights were an ideal habitat to release the turtles as there were good food sources and warm currents.

While he was unsure why Ron and Noggin had come ashore, it was a sign that they were not in a good state at that time.

"Any turtle that ends up on a beach is a real sign they are sick."

Kelly Tarlton's aquarist Matt Harvey said he had cared for both turtles and yesterday's release was hugely satisfying.

"We have worked hard to get them back to good health. It's a real thrill to put them back in the sea again."

Anyone who sees a marine turtle, alive or dead, is urged to contact their local DoC office or call the 24-hour emergency line 0800 DOCHOT (0800 362 468).