get turtle rescue ready

Welcome to AQWA’s Turtle Rescue Hub – where you can get turtle-rescue ready; learn about turtle strandings in WA; and discover more about these amazing, ancient sea creatures!

Did you know that sea turtle strandings are common in Western Australia, particularly from autumn to winter? With every species of sea turtle being endangered and each a keystone in its ecosystem – every individual turtle matters! That’s why we want our community to join us in our mission to respond, rescue, rehabilitate and release.

Would you know what to do if you found a stranded turtle? Stranded sea turtles are almost always brought to AQWA and other rescue groups by helpful members of the public! Download and save our ‘quick-start’ Turtle First Responder Guide, so you’re turtle rescue ready this winter.

Every year, turtle hatchlings and ill or injured sea turtles wash ashore on Perth’s beaches and are brought to AQWA.

Strandings are due to many factors, including plastic ingestion, entanglements (in fishing equipment), injury by predators and/or boating, winter storms causing fatigue and WA’s unique, but somewhat ‘confusing’ Leeuwin Current, which can lead young turtles off course!

Stranded turtles require expert medical intervention, constant care and rehabilitation in the ideal conditions. The AQWA Foundation and our dedicated group of partners work together to provide this.

Learn more about AQWA Foundation’s Turtle Rescue, Rehabilitate and Release (RRR) program below!

Of course, the most rewarding and exciting part of the RRR program is… release time! Each year when environmental conditions are ideal, turtles that are healthy and capable are returned to their glorious home-waters of WA’s north-west. Witness the journey our turtles take by plane, car and boat to make it home in our most recent release video below!

Discover more about the different species of sea turtles cared for by the AQWA team. Download our fact sheets and become turtley obsessed with these keystone creatures, just as we are!