Turtles need new home
Cairns’ turtle hospital is in need of a new home after nearly 20 years at Portsmith, with one of its co-founders claiming her patients’ wellbeing is now impacted by heavy industry. The Cairns Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Centre has used donated land along Tingira St since it was established in 2000. The volunteer-run facility has since expanded to Fitzroy Island and will soon have a dedicated area at the new Cairns Aquarium.
CAIRNS’ turtle hospital is in need of a new home after nearly 20 years at Portsmith with one of its co-founders claiming her patients’ wellbeing is being impacted by heavy industry.
The Cairns Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Centre has remained on land donated by a cruise company along Tingira St since it was established in 2000.
Since then, the volunteerrun facility has expanded to Fitzroy Island and will soon have a dedicated area at the new Cairns Aquarium.
Centre co-ordinator Jennie Gilbert said a new, quieter main site where they could add more tanks was needed.
“We’re really desperately looking for an area that is actually near the water and has more area where we can put more tanks,” she said.
“We need to be away from industry too. The problem with Tingira St is it’s so industrial down there now.
“Whenever a big truck goes past, the whole earth shakes and the turtles just give up eating. “It’s just too hard on them.” There are currently 14 sick and injured turtles being cared for at the centre, including seven reptilian patients on Fitzroy Island.
Since it opened, the facility has treated more than 170 turtles, which have been brought in for treatment from the Great Barrier Reef and Cape York Peninsula.
“Where we are, it’s been fantastic,” Ms Gilbert said.
“But due to the fact that there’s increased industry, and the water quality is affecting the animals, we need to find a new home for them that will help them.”
To assist the centre in its search for a new site, head to cairnsturtlerehab.org.au