Cairns Convention Centre supports turtle rehabilitation

The Cairns Convention Centre has lent its support to the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre (CRTC) by sponsoring injured turtles. CTRC is a non-for-profit organisation. The Great Barrier Reef is home to six of the world’s seven species of marine turtles. A number of these are seriously threatened by a diverse range of natural and, more significantly, human induced factors. CTRC’s rehabilitation facilities are located in Cairns, where many of the sick and injured turtles that they care for are found. After an extended period of rehabilitation, they are released back to the ocean with satellite tracker attached to monitor their health profile and movements for important research. The centre comprises of an Intensive Care Unit, Turtle Rehabilitation Centre and, an educational display for visitors to experience centre. Cairns Convention Centre has partnered with CTRC to sponsor the rehabilitation of an injured turtle. Sharon (the turtle) was found at Mission Beach and had been floating for such a long period of time that she had full thickness sunburn through her entire shell. Cairns Convention Centre general manager, Janet Hamilton said it was an easy decision to partner with the CTRC. “The Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre do such an incredible job in the region looking after injured and sick turtles and not only did we want to promote their work we wanted to get involved ourselves.” “Sponsoring Sharon is a great opportunity to help our local marine life and showcase event legacy opportunities for clients hosting events in Cairns. Events have an opportunity to create a lasting impact on our local environment and marine life when they come to our region, and we wanted to show them first-hand an organisation that they can get involved with,” added Hamilton. Jennie Gilbert, James Cook University and co-founder of CTRC, has helped nurse hundreds of sick and injured reptiles back to health over the past 20 years, releasing them back on to the Great Barrier Reef. Turtles arrive at CTRC care for many reasons ranging from floaters syndrome and starvation through to boat strikes and being bitten by sharks or crocodiles. Rehabilitation can last anywhere from six months to three years and when they’re ready they are released back out to sea in the same place they were found “We are excited the Cairns Convention Centre has come on board to help rehabilitate a turtle,” Gilbert said. To find out more about the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre visit their website http://www.cairnsturtlerehab.org.au/ Video: Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre and Cairns Convention Centre: Cairns Convention Centre Jennie Gilbert – CTRC.mp4