The endangered turtle that washed up on Wellington's Lyall Bay beach close to death last month will be sent to Auckland's Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium tomorrow.
The olive ridley sea turtle has been at Wellington Zoo since she was found hypothermic and barely responsive with an open wound on her back early last month.
The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle that washed up at Lyall Bay, Wellington. Photo: Libby Callander/Wellington Zoo
Zoo spokesperson Libby Callander said it had been amazing for staff to watch the turtle recover, after it was originally given a 50 percent chance of survival.
Ms Callander said the turtle was now healthy enough for the trip to Auckland to begin a rehabilitation programme.
Ridley had gone from strength to strength while in the care of Wellington Zoo.
The next stage of her recovery at Kelly Tarlton's will include building fitness by swimming in large salt water tanks.
Sea turtle Ridley recuperates in Wellington Zoo with Dr Lisa Argilla. Photo: Wellington Zoo
