Ailing hawksbill turtle on the mend

ON MEND: Department of Conservation biodiversity ranger Jamie Werner with a hawksbill turtle that was critically endangered with it was found at Pukenui but is now well and truly on the mend.

A hawksbill turtle has been found on the east coast north of the Bay of Islands for the first time.

Covered in barnacles, dehydrated and weak, the juvenile turtle (aged six to eight years) was assessed as in critical condition when it was found at Pukenui, but at last report was out of danger.

It was collected by a DOC ranger and flown from Kerikeri to Auckland for treatment at Auckland Zoo's vet centre, and has made such progress that it was expected to be transferred today to Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium, where it will complete its rehabilitation.

Eventually it will be returned to the sea, most likely from a Far North beach or the Poor Knights Islands.

Massey University turtle expert Dan Godoy said it was the first hawksbill he knew of that had been rescued on the east coast north of the Bay of Islands. Normally they washed up on the west coast or further south.

The hawksbill was less common than the green turtle, the species found on 90 Mile Beach last month, and usually preferred tropical reefs, where it fed on soft coral and invertebrates.

Mr Godoy said the barnacles on this specimen's shell suggested it had been unwell and floating at the surface for a few weeks, at least.

Adults grew to 80kg, taking their name from their distinctive beak-like bill.

They were critically endangered, having been hunted to the brink of extinction for their shells, which were used for tortoiseshell ornaments.

The past year had set a record for the number of turtles rescued in Northland, and for the number that had survived, Mr Godoy added.

Currently Kelly Tarlton's was looking after eight turtles - two hawksbills (with the new arrival to come), four green and one olive ridley. Turtles found on the shore should not be returned to the water, Mr Godoy said.

They were trying to beach themselves for a reason, usually because they were ill.

Anyone who found one should call the 24-hour DOC hotline 0800 DOC HOT.