What to do if you find an injured sea turtle

If you find an injured sea turtle, you should report it immediately. Do not try to return the turtle to the water, handle it, or move it unless instructed to do so by a professional. While you wait for help, keep a safe distance, provide shade if possible, and note its location and condition.

What to do:

  • Call for help immediately via the relevant organisations (see below).
  • Do not handle the turtle: Do not try to push it back into the water or attempt to treat it yourself. Only trained responders can handle the animal to ensure both its safety and yours.
  • Provide shade: If it’s safe, place shade over the turtle to protect it from the sun but do not cover its eyes or nose.
  • Stay at a safe distance: Keep yourself, children, and pets away from the animal to avoid stressing it further.
  • Note the location and condition: Make a note of the turtle’s exact location, such as GPS coordinates if possible. Observe its condition, including any visible injuries, and describe its size and what it is doing. If possible, take photos from a safe distance.

Why it’s important to report:

  • Trained response: The information you provide will help trained and licensed wildlife officers assess the situation and take appropriate action.
  • Data collection: Your report contributes to a larger database which helps monitor and protect sea turtle populations.
  • Legal protection: Handling native animals without approval is illegal so it’s crucial to let the experts manage the situation. 
  • Future survival: Many sea turtles mature slowly and reproduce late (some not until decades old), therefore, protecting nesting, hatching, and stranding events is crucial for population survival.

Queensland


For sick, injured, or dead sea turtles in Queensland, contact:
The Queensland Government Marine Animal Stranding Hotline at 1300 130 372 (press option 1)
(operated during office hours, Mon-Fri ), or report it via the free QWildlife app. 

Your report will be escalated to the relevant responder groups of the region.

QWildlife app links: 

Apple – https://apps.apple.com/au/app/qwildlife/id1500668021

Android – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.qld.dnrme.QWildlife&hl=en_AU&pli=1711

 

New South Wales


For sick, injured, or deceased sea turtles, contact:
NSW Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) on 13000PARKS (1300 072 757).

For live, healthy turtles or to report nesting activity like tracks or nests, contact:
NSW TurtleWatch on 0447 877 149 or the NPWS hotline. 

 

Western Australia


Contacts for sick, injured, or deceased sea turtles, or live, healthy turtles, or to report nesting activity like tracks or nests:

WA Wildlife (8.30am – 5.30pm): (08) 9417 7105

AQWA – The Aquarium of Western Australia (9am – 4pm): (08) 9447 7500.

DBCA Wildcare Helpline (7am – 8.30pm): (08) 9474 9055

 

Northern Territory


For sick, injured, or deceased sea turtles, contact:
NT Marine WildWatch Hotline at 1800 453 941

Alternative contacts for sick, injured, or deceased sea turtles, or live, healthy turtles, or to report nesting activity like tracks or nests:

Department of the Environment:  1800 641 806

Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife:  1300 281 121

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