The Eastern Pacific Green Turtle

Visit the Eastern Pacific green turtle that was found stranded on Takapuna Beach at SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium these school holidays.

In the lead up to the school holidays, the 26kg turtle will be moved to the Turtle Bay display, where it will swim alongside other rescued sea turtles as they continue their recovery under careful supervision from the team.

The Eastern Pacific green turtle has been undergoing treatment for exhaustion, dehydration and low body temperature in SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Turtle Rehabilitation Centre after it was rescued by the Department of Conservation and checked over by the specialist vet team at Auckland Zoo in May.

After four weeks behind the scenes, the turtle is now well enough to move into Turtle Bay where visitors to the aquarium can meet this unique creature before it is ready to be released back into the ocean!

Eastern Pacific green turtles are also referred to as black sea turtles and native to waters near Costa Rica and the Galápagos Islands, which means this turtle is a long way from home! The species is classified as endangered, with populations decreasing due to overfishing and plastic pollution.

SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s is participating in Plastic Free July 2020 with a presentation at New Lynn War Memorial Library on Wednesday 1 July as well as a virtual competition for schools to win a free excursion and 20% off Cheeki reusable drink bottles in the gift shop.

The aquarium is home to sea creatures of all shapes and sizes for guests to discover these school holidays. You can explore the underwater world in the Shark Tunnel with sharks and rays swimming overhead, go on an Antarctic Ice Adventure with the King and Gentoo penguins, discover beautiful creatures in Seahorse Kingdom and much more.

During the school holidays from 4 July – 19 July 2020, SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s will be open seven days per week from 9:30am – 5pm (last entry 4pm). Book your tickets online in advance to receive a 20% discount. Visit the website for updates, tickets, opening hours and health and safety information.