After 19 months of rehabilitation, Matilda the Hawksbill sea turtle has been released back into the waters of the Great Barrier Reef at Green Island, and in a first for our region, has been also been fitted with a satellite tracking device.

After making a full recovery from ‘floaters disease’ under the care of the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, the once critically ill turtle was released into the waters of Green Island by CTRC volunteers with the assistance of Great Adventures.

Quicksilver Group Managing Director, Tony Baker said “Green Island is a natural habitat for turtles and Great Adventures is pleased to assist with the wonderful work by CTRC a-not-for-profit community organisation. Their work is vital in assisting sick and injured turtles back into the wild and donations from companies such as ourselves and the wider community are vital to making sure these turtles find a way home.”

Jennie Gilbert, turtle researcher from the CTRC and James Cook University in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Resource Management said, “ In a first for the Far North East Coast of Australia, Matilda, a juvenile turtle aged about 15 – 20 years, was fitted with a tracker device on her back.  With the satellite tracker we will be able to see where Matilda travels, how fast and how deep.  As the first turtle to have this tracking device in Far North Queensland waters, Matilda will be able to give us insights into how turtles live in the region and to see how and where they travel once released back into the wild.”

Matilda was released on the 21st May, and in the past 10 days, she has traveled 300kms.  Matilda traveled 60kms in a south easterly direction in one day and another day saw her travel 30kms in a north westerly direction to just below Port Douglas.  Other than these 2 big days, Matilda has been content to swim in the waters off Green Island.

Once established, the wider community will be able to watch Matilda’s progress on the web and follow her journey.

Matilda was in rehabilitation for 19 months after being found off Mission beach with “floaters disease”, which prevents the turtle from diving and therefore feeding.