Endangered visitor gets into the swim

Sealife specialist Joe Woolcott sets a rehabilitated Stacey the turtle on her way. Photo / Chris Gorman

Stacey the endangered green turtle, found washed up and emaciated on a New Zealand beach, has been released back into the wild.

After six months' rehabilitation at Kelly Tarlton's Sealife Aquarium, Stacey took to the ocean at Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve yesterday.

Schools of fish swarmed around the creature as she tentatively headed towards the open sea, before turning back and exploring the seaweed-covered rocks and coves at the base of the steep island's cliffs.

Stacey, aged between 8 and 10 years old, was found on a beach near Dargaville in September.

Joe Woolcott, from Kelly Tarlton's, said the turtle was in bad shape when she arrived at the aquarium's rehabilitation centre.

"Tropical sea turtles don't come ashore other than in the tropics where they breed.

"Any sea turtle that comes ashore on New Zealand is in a bit of a state."

Her return to the ocean was witnessed by all the agencies that had helped her recovery - the Department of Conservation, Auckland Zoo, Kelly Tarlton's and Massey University.

Massey PhD student Dan Godoy said it took just six months for Stacey to be nursed back to health.

"It's remarkable. When she was found she was in such poor condition we didn't expect her to survive.

"Through that really good time here she was quickly, with medical care and rehabilitation, able to be released so soon after."

Stacey was expected to swim to warmer waters at an average speed of 1km/h. She has a life expectancy of between 80 and 100 years.

Mr Godoy said turtles are an endangered species and yesterday's release showed the importance of informing conservation authorities of sea creatures that appear to be in trouble.

Two more turtles that have been through the rehabilitation centre were to be released at Cape Reinga today.