Dolphin Discovery Centre urges community to take to the beaches as prime turtle hatchling season begins

As the South West is continuously being battered by storms, the team at the Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Centre is calling on the community to head to the beach and keep an eye out for wildlife in need.

In particular, they are hoping to help hatchling turtles as the region enters the top time for castaways.

Communications manager Axel Grossmann said it was peak season for the centre, with the winter storms dragging hatchlings out of the warmer ocean currents into the colder waters of the South West.

“With (these) massive storms coming through, we are asking people to get out for a beach walk and be aware of them,” he said.

“Just be aware they are tiny, they can fit right in the palm of your hand. So, just have a look around and if your dog puts up an alarm, know it could be a turtle.”

The DDC is ready to take in as many turtles as are found for rehabilitation, Mr Grossmann said.

Currently the centre is housing three tiny turtles, with two arriving in the past few weeks.

One turtle, named Megan after the person who found it, came all the way from Albany and was the smallest turtle the DDC had ever taken into care at just 42g, Mr Grossmann said.

Also coming into care was Coody who was found on a remote beach in Windy Harbour, with the pair joining the first arrival of the season Squirtle, who was found on Binningup beach by students doing a clean up last month.

When found, Squirtle was only 53g and was believed to be the smallest turtle the DDC had cared for, until Megan came along.

Now, Squirtle has more than doubled in weight and is about 140g.

“They are all doing exceptionally well,” Mr Grossmann said.

“They are all paddling like crazy, diving and eating a lot.”

Mr Grossmann said all three would remain in intensive care for a bit longer, but the public could hope to see them on display around October.

With 15,000km of coastline to cover, stretching from Mandurah all the way to Esperance, the community taking action is the best way to save as many turtles as possible, he said.

“Please don’t put them back in the water,” Mr Grossmann said.

“They need to be washed down with fresh water and you should call the Wildcare Helpline or the Dolphin Discovery Centre.”

Wildcare Helpline 9474 9055.