05/10/2026
A NOTE FROM OUR TEAM ABOUT THE TERRIGAL TURTLE
We want to clarify the circumstances surrounding the deceased sea turtle found at Terrigal Beach on Saturday, 3 October, and explain exactly what our volunteers can and cannot do in these situations.
Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast was alerted at approximately 7.30pm. From photographs and information provided by someone at the scene, the turtle appeared to have been deceased for some time. Despite this, we would still attend later to confirm the animal was deceased, check for obvious injuries or entanglement, take measurements and collect the information required.
Once the turtle was confirmed deceased, our role changed.
Sea turtles are protected native wildlife. Our volunteers cannot simply collect, relocate or dispose of a deceased sea turtle. The animal was reported to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for appropriate follow-up and removal. From that point, the timing of its removal was outside our control. (For other deceased animals on public land, the relevant land manager is generally responsible for removal. On the Central Coast, deceased animals on public land can be reported to Council for collection.)
Unfortunately, the turtle remained on the beach and we continued to receive calls and messages. On Sunday evening, someone removed the carcass and placed it on a police vehicle. Our volunteers subsequently received abuse over the situation.
We want to make something very clear. Every member of Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast is an unpaid volunteer. We give our own time, resources and often our own money to help the marine wildlife of the Central Coast. We respond after hours and at weekends, often to distressing situations involving badly injured, suffering or deceased animals. Those experiences affect us too.
We care deeply about these animals. That is why we volunteer. What we will no longer accept is abuse from members of the public, particularly over circumstances, laws or response times we do not control.
If you are frustrated with the way incidents like this are handled, please turn that frustration into something constructive. Volunteer. Learn about the legislation and protocols governing wildlife rescue. Contact your council, state MP or relevant government agency to advocate for better resources, stronger protections and changes where you believe they are needed to better protect our beautiful natural environment.
Please keep calling us when you find marine wildlife that is sick, injured, entangled or deceased. We would always rather receive the call and help in any way we can. But please remember that the person answering that call or heading out to the beach is a volunteer trying to help and make a difference in often challenging circumstances.
Questions, concern and constructive advocacy are welcome. Abuse is not. We will continue to show up for the wildlife of the Central Coast. But we will not be anyoneās punching bag for decisions, delays or laws we do not control.
More reading for those who would like to know more:
NSW Government Code of Practice for injured and sick sea turtles and sea snakes:https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/injured-sick-sea-turtles-sea-snakes-code-of-practice-210257.pdf
Marine Wildlife Management Manual 2021: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/publications/marine-wildlife-management-manual-2021
Pic: A shot of The Entrance, showcasing some of the beauty and life we work to protect. (Taken by vollie Donnay Torr)
