Long-term wildlife patient a long-distance data beacon for endangered loggerhead turtles 

Taronga Conservation Society scientists hope to learn more about the migratory routes of the endangered species, especially that of juveniles which little information is known about. 

Found stranded and rescued unusually south in Boodoree National Park on NSW’s South Coast in April 2025, the then hatchling arrived at Taronga Wildlife Hospital weighing a minute 110g. The hatchling was gifted a Dhurga/Yuin language name, Bulwal Bilima, meaning strong turtle, by Taronga’s Burbangana Program to reflect the Country that it was rescued from.  

Bulwal Bilima was cared for and ‘wintered’ in the zoo’s heated marine rehabilitation pools to allow the juvenile reptile to maintain thermoregulation while ocean temperatures remained too cool.  

With the ocean temperatures and foraging habitats on Lord Howe Island in optimal condition and after an impressive increase of over 2.6kg in size, the young turtle underwent its final health check with Taronga’s veterinary team before being transported via plane over to Lord Howe Island. 

“From 110g to 2.7kg, little Bulwal Bilima is in optimal health and increased to a size that better increases the chances of survival when released back to the wild,” said Kimberly Vinette Herrin, Senior Veterinarian at Taronga Wildlife Hospital.   

With generous funding support from Taronga’s partner, Veolia, Taronga’s vet, and conservation scientists fitted the loggerhead with a satellite tracker to assist Taronga’s marine turtle research and provide critical data on the migratory routes and habits of juvenile loggerheads. 

“We are looking forward to tracking the migratory locations from the satellite data points that Bulwal Bilima will provide, and which will help inform conservation efforts of this endangered species,” explained Kimberly.

Taronga has been rehabilitating and satellite tracking marine turtles over the last ten-years with recent tracking data finding green turtles to be year-round residents of NSW. However, migratory route data of loggerhead turtles, especially juveniles, is in high demand to help with the conservation of this more elusive species. 

To expand its capacity to care for injured and endangered animals, Taronga is currently constructing a new wildlife hospital at Taronga Zoo Sydney, which includes specialised rehabilitation pools for marine turtles and seabirds. Taronga’s new Wildlife Hospital is set to be completed in 2026.