In January 2025, a person walking on Lennox Head Beach in Australia found a stranded sea turtle. They called Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue (ASTR).
Marine biologists arrived and found an adult green sea turtle in bad shape. She was weak, thin, and covered in many organisms. This showed she had been sick for a while.
ASTR named the turtle Kalani. They took her to Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital for care.
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Veterinarians found that Kalani had a cut on her left back flipper. She also showed signs of kidney problems. Her body was covered in epibiota, which are organisms like algae, barnacles, and leeches.
Healthy sea turtles can usually scrape off these organisms. But Kalani was too sick and injured to do so. The epibiota made it hard for her to swim because of the extra weight.
Sea turtles face more injuries and illnesses due to climate change and human threats like fishing and pollution. This makes it harder for them to survive.
ASTR called Kalani "a little fighter." For six months, vets and conservationists cared for her. They removed the epibiota, gave her medicine, and watched her recovery.
Kalani's progress was slow at first. But after a few weeks, she started to gain weight and strength.
By July 2025, Kalani was doing well in a pre-release tank. Rescuers said she was strong and spirited.
ASTR assistant general manager Amanda Philp noted that healthy turtles show their personalities. Kalani became the first to appear at feeding time.
A Return to the Ocean
In September, Kalani was ready to go back to the ocean. Philp said it was amazing to see her overcome the odds. Kalani was healthy and thriving.
Kalani was released on a sandy beach with four other green sea turtles. These turtles, named Bumble Bee, Vegas, Ugg, and India, were also rehabilitated by ASTR.
The ASTR team shared that every release is a true celebration. They thanked their team, volunteers, and supporters for making these moments possible.
