Caring for injured sea turtles in Australia. Get involved at a sea turtle rehabilitation centre in Australia. See all opportunities in Oceania here.
Protection of sea turtles in Cairns, Australia
Get involved in protecting sea turtles in Australia. Today, sea turtles are under serious threat, particularly green turtles, flatback turtles, hawksbill turtles, olive ridley turtles and loggerhead turtles. Most are victims of ‘floater syndrome’. They have been injured by boats and abandoned fishing gear, or have swallowed marine debris mistaking it for food.
The turtles come from the Great Barrier Reef
Our partner, Fronteering, will place you in a rehabilitation and care centre for injured sea turtles in the Cairns region. The turtles you will be caring for mainly come from the Great Barrier Reef and the Cape York Peninsula! Their injuries are primarily caused by human activity. To protect these sea turtles and their habitat, this rehabilitation centre, established in 2000, works closely with several conservation groups, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the EPA’s national park rangers. The rehabilitation centre’s facilities include a pre-release centre located on an island. The rehabilitation centre relies on volunteers and donations to keep the project going!
Care for injured sea turtles
Join a team at a sea turtle rehabilitation centre. The centre’s mission is to care for injured turtles and release them back into the wild whenever possible. As an eco-volunteer, you will be an integral part of the team. The project receives no government funding and relies on volunteers and donations. Some tasks won’t be very glamorous, but you’ll have a lot of fun! You’ll travel by boat every day to the island where the pre-release centre is located and help with various tasks. Here are a few examples
- Cleaning and feeding the sea turtles at the centre
- Preparing food for turtles
- Keep the tanks clean
- Clean the filter bags
- Help release the turtles
- Help with the search for and treatment of injured turtles.
- The centre’s team is looking for someone who can commit to working five days a week between 9 am and 4.30 pm
Dates
- Minimum stay of 1 week, available all year round. Please book at least one month in advance and arrive on a Sunday to start on Monday
Prices
- 1 week $1,495, or approximately €1,420
- 2 weeks $2,195, or approximately €2,086
- 3 weeks: $2,695, or approximately €2,561
- 4 weeks: $3,495, or approximately €3,321
- 6 weeks $3,995, or approximately €3,796
- 8 weeks $4,995, or approximately €4,746
The price in euros varies depending on the exchange rate
Included in the price
- Placement at the sea turtle rehabilitation centre (organised by Fronteering)
- Accommodation
- Pick-up at Cairns Airport
- If you encounter any issues with your volunteering project, Fronteering will act as a mediator between you and the organisation.
- You can book tours in Australia once you have finished your volunteering project. (Organised by Fronteering)
- 24/7 emergency contact (provided by Fronteering)
Not included in the price
- Flight tickets
- Meals (with the option of a cook on site)
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- At least 1 week
- Ages 18 and over
- English: intermediate level
- Smoking is not permitted on the premises
- A strong work ethic is required: reliability, responsibility, honesty, a good sense of humour, and good physical and mental health.
- Age: 18 and over
- No allergies to animals
- Coping with the summer heat
- A love of animals!
- Must read and agree to comply with the guidelines and code of ethics.
- Thanks to your support and financial contributions, the sea turtle rehabilitation centre is able to continue its work.
- You’ll develop your knowledge of animal care and help promote humane and sustainable practices in Australia!
- A great opportunity to explore the Great Barrier Reef.
Accommodation
You will be staying in a dormitory-style room that can accommodate up to 10 people. You’ll have large pillows and comfortable sheets, air conditioning, a private bathroom, access to a separate kitchen, free Wi-Fi and free luggage storage. The hostel is just a short walk from grocery shops, the seafront promenade, shops and the ferry that will take you to your project.
Meals
The hotel has a self-catering kitchen where you can prepare your own meals. Groceries are available to buy nearby.
Arrival
Arrive in Cairns. Someone will be there to meet you at the airport.
About the partner organisation
Our partner is a Canadian organisation founded in 2010, specialising in overseas volunteering projects aimed at preserving the environment, wildlife and indigenous communities. It offers placements all over the world, but thanks to its Canadian base, it provides numerous experiences with a positive impact in North America. It also focuses on the least-visited places on the planet. Places that still boast rich biodiversity and where you can immerse yourself in a world that remains wild. Our partner strives to offer volunteering experiences off the beaten track. Adventure awaits!
