Ridley, an endangered turtle who has been receiving care at Wellington Zoo, is almost ready to take the next step in her rehabilitation.
Photo: Wellington Zoo
The olive ridley sea turtle washed up on Lyall Bay Beach nearly three weeks ago. She was found hypothermic and barely responsive.
Ridley has since been in Wellington Zoo's animal hospital, The Nest Te Kōhanga, and is under the supervision of veterinary science manager Dr Lisa Argilla.
Dr Argilla said Ridley had gone from strength to strength and they were now looking at moving the turtle to Kelly Tarlton's in Auckland, where she could build fitness swimming in large salt water tanks.
"Ridley has been swimming, eating, and even showing her stroppy side over the last week," she said.
"It's great to see her looking so strong, and we're now making plans for her to move up to Kelly Tarlton's for the next stage of her recovery, so she can then be returned to the wild."
She said Ridley could be transferred as soon as next week but her return to the wild might still be years away.
