Three-Flippered Terry the Turtle Returns to the Ocean

A young green turtle is back home in the ocean after surviving one of the worst fishing line injuries wildlife vets have seen in nearly two decades.

Lifeguards spotted Terry struggling in the water off Terrigal Beach on Australia's Central Coast in early December. Tangled fishing line had cut so deeply into his front flipper that it severed blood flow and exposed bone.

"We were actually quite shocked at the extent of his injuries," said Taronga Zoo veterinarian Rebecca Robey, who has treated wildlife for 18 years. "The fishing line was so tight that it had rotted away a lot of his muscle and soft tissue, which would have been incredibly painful for him."

The team made the difficult decision to amputate the flipper. While never easy, research shows that three-flippered turtles can survive and thrive in the wild.

After five weeks of intensive care, Terry's surgical site healed completely. Then came the real test: rebuilding his swimming strength in the zoo's rehabilitation pool.

Terry proved to be a determined patient. He adapted quickly to swimming with three flippers, giving vets confidence he could handle the open ocean.

Sunny's Take

After two months of care, Terry earned his ticket home. With a police escort through Sydney Harbour, the young turtle was released near the heads.

The moment he hit the water, Terry didn't look back. He darted through the choppy waves and disappeared into the deep blue.

Green turtles are vulnerable species that can live 80 to 100 years. Vets estimate Terry is only 15 to 20 years old, meaning he has decades of life ahead.

Dr. Robey hopes Terry's story reminds people that fishing line kills countless birds, crabs, dolphins, and marine mammals every year. "It's really important if you are out fishing to take any leftover fishing line and be really aware of what you do with that," she said. "It could end up in our waterways and damage our beautiful marine life."

Terry's second chance at life came down to observant lifeguards, skilled vets, and one turtle's fierce will to survive.