2015 - TURTLE LADY - KYLIE SHERWOOD

I recently visited Chelonia Broome which is a voluntary backyard facility that cares for sick turtles and is affiliated with Pilbara Wildlife Carers Association. Their goal is to return a healthy turtle back to the wild. Their facility in 2014 was burnt down by a bushfire, so they are rebuilding the shed and filtration system, a huge job emotionally and financially. I was curious as to why one person would not just give up! Have an easy life! So, I went and met Kylie Sherwood.

“I did a Conservation & Land Management course at TAFE in Perth, and I had to do 40hrs work experience. We moved to Broome in 2009 and I approached Lesley Baird who started Chelonia. I thought - just do your 40hrs and that will be it! Well, a sick turtle came in and I was so excited - I had never seen a turtle. So, my 40hrs turned into 6 years! I worked with Lesley for 2 1/2 years before she passed away. I bought her house and kept Chelonia running. I have a couple of volunteers and myself that come in each afternoon plus if there is a critically sick turtle, we monitor their progress closely.

When the turtles are in rehab they don’t eat voluntarily so we give them fluids to keep up their vitamin and minerals. When they are feeling better, we feed them vegetable puree, consisting of broccoli, brussel sprouts and spinach. This replaces their seagrass diet. They also get squid and when they need some extra love I give them salmon, which is crazily expensive. The Broome Veterinary Clinic is a great support, as we sometimes need x-rays and bloods to be taken and antibiotics prescribed.

We are very grateful for public donations. One person pays $5 per week and that pays for 1/2 kg of squid! Every dollar helps return our turtles back to the sea!

Further information www.chelonia.org.au