Sea World Rescue Training Day
Moreton Bay is home to over 600 Inshore Bottlenose dolphins, 4 different species of marine turtles and over the recent years, New Zealand Fur Seals have also been spotted in Moreton Bay.
Due to the increase of human activity in all waterways, many animals face daily threats like, boat strikes , digesting plastics and fishing line entanglements.
Every year the Eco Centre can rescue up to 10 sea turtles that have been found floating in the Bay, or washed up on the beach with various injuries, and our Eco Ranger staff care for them overnight, the injured animal is then transported off the island on one of the Tangalooma vessels the next morning to be collected by Marine Parks who then take the injured animal to a rescue centre for veterinary care and rehabilitation.
Last week the Sea World Rescue and Rehabilitation team organised a refresher training day at Tangalooma for the National Park Rangers and the Tangalooma Eco Rangers. We trained and practised on animal rescues, restraints, animal care, and releasing the animals back into the wild.
This training is essential as over the years a number of the dolphins that visit Tangalooma have arrived in the area with fishing line entanglements. Due to the training our staff has received and with the assistance of the Sea World Vet and staff, our Eco Rangers are able to catch the animal, take it out of the water, and quickly remove the fishing line and hooks and then stretcher the animal back out into the water. The dolphins seem to understand what is going on and always give us the impression that they are very thankful for our help. Usually after a rescue, the dolphin will swim straight back over to the dolphin feeder and start feeding again which is an indication they are not stressed and are completely calm with the whole rescue event.
It’s great that Tangalooma networks with organisations like National Parks, Marine Parks, and the Sea World Rescue Team so that we can all work together to help look after any animals in need.