Sickly turtle on the mend

An endangered hawksbill turtle that was found on Ninety Mile is placed into the safe water at Kelly Tarltons in Auckland during its road to recovery. Photo / Greg Bowker

A critically endangered turtle found in a bad way in the Bay of Islands is now recovering at Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium in Auckland.

The sickly hawksbill turtle was found last week at Pukenui, about 50km north of Kaitaia, and collected by a Department of Conservation ranger. It was flown south for treatment at Auckland Zoo's vet centre.

The condition of the juvenile turtle improved enough for it to be shifted this week to Kelly Tarlton's to rehabilitate.

Massey University turtle expert Dan Godoy said the barnacles on its shell suggested it had been unwell and floating at the surface for a few weeks at least. He said turtles found on the shore should not be returned to the water because they beached for a reason, usually ill health.