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Info Related to this News

Animals:
Freshwater Turtle

Events:
Valentines Day

Wildlife Warriors Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin saw the results of their novel fundraising efforts put into action when they released a rehabilitated Green Sea Turtle off the Sunshine Coast yesterday, and will now monitor the turtle's activities via a satellite tracker.

Funds were raised to purchase Minka's tracker by auctioning off wildlife encounters with Terri, Bindi and Robert over a number of days in the Christmas school holiday period.

Australia Zoo's Rescue Unit rescued the turtle, a female named Minka, who was found with a crab pot rope wrapped around one of her flippers. Minka was assessed by vets at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors - Australian Wildlife Hospital, and underwent surgery to amputate the affected flipper.

Prior to Minka's release she was fitted with a satellite tracker, which will enable Australia Zoo, researchers at the University of Queensland (UQ) and the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) to track her journey and progress.

"This is the second turtle that will take part in this program, following Rafael the Loggerhead Turtle's successful release in June last year," said head of Australia Zoo Rescue Unit, Brian Coulter.

Valentine's Day Silent Auction

Marine life will again be the focus of an auction for a unique wildlife encounter with Terri, Bindi and Robert on Valentine's Day, when their time goes under the hammer to raise funds for Seal Alert-SA, a seal rehabilitation facility in South Africa.

The work undertaken by the privately-funded seal rehabilitation facility touched the hearts of Terri, Bindi and Robert while they were in South Africa in 2009, as they witnessed first-hand the threats faced by seals in this area, and played a part in helping to rescue a vulnerable baby seal. Only a few months old, the pup named Hope by Bindi, was orphaned and dehydrated when found by Bindi, Robert and Terri. Thanks to the care provided by Seal Alert-SA, Hope has made a full recovery, and has been released back into local waters.

With Seal Alert-SA being a privately run, self-funded rehabilitation facility, the money raised through the unique wildlife encounter with Terri, Bindi and Robert will go a long way to assist seals in the area. The unique animal encounter with Terri, Bindi and Robert will be auctioned through a silent auction on Valentine's Day, Sunday 14 February, with the encounter taking place later that day.

By visiting Australia Zoo on Valentine's Day you will also have the chance to win a romantic weekend away for two people through the Major Prize Draw, plus there will be romance in the air with free chocolates and roses.