Ventura ventures forth, plastic-free
FINGAL farewelled a beautiful sea turtle on Friday morning after almost nine months in specialist care.
Ventura the green turtle had ingested some plastic and was found by a dog walker at Dreamtime Beach in January.
He was taken in by the Seabird Rescue team in Ballina before being sent to Seaworld for rehabilitation.
Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers volunteer Ron Potter was among the team who rescued Ventura in January.
Mr Potter said the turtle was 74kg the day they picked him up. He looked much healthier on Friday at about 90kg.
"That's the best part - when we're about to let them go," Mr Potter said.
He thanked the people who helped rescue Ventura's. He didn't know their names.
Seabird Rescue Ballina's Kath Southwell said it wasn't uncommon to find turtles had ingested plastic along the Tweed Coast.
"It causes a massive blockage in their system," she said.
Fingal Head Dunecare's Kay Bolton said she found plenty of rubbish on the beach, even on the morning of Ventura's release.
