In late January this year a juvenile green sea turtle was brought from North Bowen to the Eco Barge Clean Seas Incorporated (EBCS) facility with wounds sustained from a shark attack.
Last week, that turtle – affectionately named Eminem – was released back into the Coral Sea from Cannonvale Beach, having recovered from his injuries thanks to the team of 14 dedicated turtle carer volunteers.
Named by EBCS Founding Chair Libby Edge’s daughter, Eminem was graced with the nickname when Ms Edge and her daughter drove to Bowen to save him, all the while singing along with the famous Detroit rapper the car radio.
With a cohort of kids in tow, the Eco Barge volunteers saw the successful release of the turtle Slim Shady on Thursday, who is just one of the over 221 sick or injured turtles to have received care at the charity’s Whitsunday Turtle Rescue Centre.
Ms Edge said it was a very special day which would not have been achieved without the volunteers and BSTAR, a Marine Animal Stranding Response group in Bowen.
“We safely rescued this turtle from Bowen and brought it down here to the Whitsunday Turtle Rescue Centre, and this is a bit of a celebration for our turtle volunteers today for helping fully recover Eminem,” Ms Edge said.
“He has a rear missing flipper and a few injuries, but he has healed himself quite quickly - it’s amazing, and it’s because of this team.”
Eminem was rehabilitated over 78 days, with donations to EBCS going directly towards his recovery. As well as funds from sales Ballistic Brewery’s Reef Pale Ale and Lager, with ten cents from every can donated to Eco Barge.
All turtles are listed endangered, with the green sea turtle amongst those.
Ms Edge said that Eminem was released because he had returned to full physical fitness, which included “eating Eco Barge out of house and home.”
“He’s now going to head over to near Pigeon Island, have a feast of seagrass and then, highly likely, swim back to Bowen,” she said.
Renee Carroll was one of the volunteers who nursed Eminem back to health, alongside her daughter Cleo Mazonka.
“That was the first release I’ve been a part of and it was emotional – there are tears, but happy tears,” she said.
“You love them, you care for them – I feel extremely happy and emotional.”
