AFTER a lengthy stay in care and an amputation the green sea turtle Rafiki was released into the waters of Port Stephens at Fly Point on Nelson Bay Beach last week.

Rafiki was not released back where he was found on the Central Coast as a decision was made to release the turtle into an area with an ample food source available.

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Given that Rafiki lost his front flipper due to a fishing line injury, the decision was made to release him here in paradise where there is a marine sanctuary.

The rescue and care of Rafiki was a real team effort with Hunter Wildlife Rescue, the Small Animal Hospital at Tuggerah, Australian Seabird and Turtle Rescue Central Coast and Sea Shelter all involved in seeing him through the ordeal.

Rafiki was rescued in September from Eraring after being accidentally hooked by a lure.

Instead of cutting the line, which could have potentially caused a painful death, Rafiki was brought to shore and help was called.

The Australian Seabird and Turtle Rescue Central Coast rescued Rafiki – who had sustained quite substantial damage to the front flipper.

The team at the Small Animal Specialist Hospital (SASH) at Tuggerah stepped in and did the amputation.

Rafiki spent the next few months in care on the Central Coast until the wound healed and until Rafiki had learnt to adapt with a missing flipper.

Rafiki was transferred to a bigger tank at Sea Shelter which is located within Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters at Anna Bay in Port Stephens, where he spent another two months building up fitness.

After five months of rehab Rafiki was deemed fit enough to be released.

Watched by residents from Regis Aged Care Home the teams from Sea Shelter and the Australian Seabird and Turtle Rescue said farewell to Rafiki when he was released at Nelson Bay, in a habitat that the care team deemed very suitable due to calm conditions, plenty of seagrass and the area being part of a large marine sanctuary.

Lia Pereira of Sea Shelter told News Of The Area, “Data captured by Taronga Zoo from released turtles with trackers shows that those released in Sydney come straight up the coast and into Port Stephens.”

Robert Olive of the Australian Seabird and Turtle Rescue Central Coast told News Of The Area, “Once Rafiki was well enough we transferred him to Sea Shelter as they have bigger tanks and a bigger facility which allowed Rafiki to build up some muscle.

“Fishing line injuries are common in turtles and there have been even more recreational fishers since COVID and it is important for fishers to take all their tangles home.

“Line wraps around the seaweed and the turtles eat it,” he said.

Just a week after Rafiki’s release, another turtle has been rescued at Nelson Bay which is now in care at Sea Shelter.

By Marian SAMPSON