Marine Matters: New Turtle Resort open for business

The big news this week was the long-awaited grand opening of Bunbury's most luxurious turtle resort.

Enjoying unrestricted views of Koombana Bay, the spacious marine pool has a state-of-the-art sand filter, a jacuzzi-style water flow system and is heated to a tropical 26C.

The lucky guests will enjoy a five-star, all-you-can-eat seafood banquet throughout the day and a daily spa service inclusive of regular check-ups, body rubs and parasite cleansing.

This all-inclusive luxury package is open to all endangered marine turtles travelling along the Leeuwin Current 'freeway' who are found in distress and in need of human assistance and rehabilitation.

The resort will be open all year round, however peak occupancy periods for marine turtles will likely be during the winter and spring months when young turtles and hatchlings are carried south by the strong currents from their breeding areas in northern Australia.

Unable to swim out of this current, many of them will eventually wash ashore on our beaches cold, dehydrated and hungry with little or no hope of survival.

Their only chance is to be found by a beach-walker and transported to the Turtle Resort at the Dolphin Discovery Centre.

The recovery process often takes more than six months and not only provides researchers with vital information on their recovery and development, but also serves to educate the general public about these endangered reptiles and the ways we can minimise our impacts on them and their environment.

For more than five years the DDC has successfully rehabilitated hundreds of baby turtles, many of which have been released back into their natural tropical marine environment by the Department of Parks and Wildlife.

Although limited funding opportunities has restricted the turtle rehabilitation program to small makeshift aquariums located within the centre, staff and volunteers have provided all the love and care required to establish a successful program.

The great news for the program and for the next wave of stranded turtles has been the recent construction of the all-inclusive Turtle Resort thanks to the generosity of Lotterywest, Bendigo Bank, Bunbury City Glass, Bellfire and the Body Shop.

The resort's big fibreglass tank is housed within an external weather safe compound offering more room, more facilities and a cleaner environment for marine turtles of any size.

The resort is also open to all DDC visitors during opening hours so everyone can continue to enjoy the rare opportunity to get up close and personal with these beautiful marine animals and watch them recover from their ordeal.

Considering we have just experienced a few nasty weeks of strong winds, rain and swell, turtles may start to appear washed up along our coast.

Chances are they will need your help so keep your eyes peeled and be turtle aware.

If you do find a turtle, do not attempt to return it to the ocean. They will need immediate care so either contact the DDC on 9791 3088 or the DPaW Wildlife Hotline on 9474 9055 for more instructions.