Smee the rehabilitated Green Sea Turtle Release

Smee the rehabilitated Green Sea Turtle was released last week back into the ocean in Tauranga.

 

The turtle – affectionately named after Captain Hook’s best friend – was initially triaged by the team at Auckland Zoo who found two fishing hooks that had been ingested. Both hooks were successfully removed and Smee’s health has gone from strength to strength in SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Turtle Rehabilitation Centre.

 

The rescue, rehabilitation and release of sick and injured sea turtles in New Zealand is a collaborative effort from Team Turtle, which includes SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s, Department of Conservation, Auckland Zoo and iwi. Team Turtle urges people to report injured or stranded turtles to the DOC emergency hotline on 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).