DBCT P/L employee helps save endangered turtle

Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal Pty Ltd (DBCT P/L) System Maintainer Electrical and Mackay & District Turtle Watch Association volunteer, Warren Harrigan, released an endangered Hawksbill turtle named ‘Scooby’ in December after helping to rescue it two months earlier.

Warren said it was such a great experience to see Scooby being released, with its flippers forward ready to pull itself along Grasstree Beach and back into the ocean.

“When I got the call to rescue Scooby it was very weak and covered in barnacles and green algae. I drove it to Airlie Beach so it could be looked after by the Whitsunday Turtle Rescue Centre at Eco Barge HQ. My granddaughter got to name it, which was a bit of a thrill,” Warren said.

The Turtle Team from Whitsunday Rescue Centre gave Scooby medical attention and fed it until it was ready to be released.

DBCT P/L Chief Executive Officer, Steve Rae, said with Warren being the only Turtle Watch representative for Grasstree Beach, he was proud that a DBCT P/L employee was an integral part of the community group.

“We have many employees in volunteer roles and we support their endeavours when they positively impact the community and environment,” Steve said. 

Volunteering for Turtle Watch for three years, Warren has a network of walkers who regularly monitor the beach and let him know if they notice any issues with the turtles that use the beach.

Warren said one of the most rewarding experiences was when he saved about 30 baby turtles during a cyclone.

“We thought we were going to have to move the nest as the baby turtles were in danger from 100km/h winds and massive swells, but the sand had sunk, indicating the turtles had hatched and left.

“But when we broke the surface of the sand to collect data, baby turtles started pouring out. They must have known the conditions weren’t right so were waiting just below the surface.

“Luckily I had two eskies to put the baby turtles in and the other Turtle Watch member and I took them home until the cyclone had passed and released them two days later from the same beach.”

 How can you help protect turtles:

• Call on 1300ANIMAL if you see a turtle on the beach. Don’t return it to the ocean yourself as it may need medical attention, even if it looks okay.
• As all marine turtles are protected you must by law be trained to obtain a permit to handle sea turtles, hatchlings and eggs.
• Recycle or reuse plastic bags.
• Dispose of fishing lines and rubbish in appropriate bins.
• Keep vehicles off nesting beaches during nesting season (November – February)
• Leave nests alone.
• Keep lighting to a minimum in beach areas.
• Keep clear (20 meters) from a turtle look to nest.
• Stay behind the turtle, stay out of the turtle’s line of sight and do not approach the head.
• Keep dogs clear and on a lead.