Building capacity
The WA Wildlife Marine Turtle Intensive Care Facility is the first of its kind in Western Australia. Purpose-built to provide veterinary care for sick and injured marine turtles, it offers a dedicated quarantine and treatment space designed to meet the unique needs of these threatened species.
The facility commenced operations in October 2024 and was funded through the generous support of the State NRM Program as part of the final stage of the Cockburn Wetlands Precinct redevelopment.
Equipped with specialised equipment, saltwater systems and purpose-built enclosures, the Marine Turtle Intensive Care Facility enables WA Wildlife to deliver on-site veterinary care and intensive rehabilitation to these endangered species.
Patients are stabilised here before being transferred AQWA for long-term rehabilitation and release.
WA Wildlife receives no ongoing State or Federal government funding (excluding ad hoc grants) and relies heavily on donations and sponsorships to cover operating costs.
The facility operates 365 days a year, providing free treatment for marine turtles and sea snakes admitted by members of the public, local rangers, fisheries officers, AQWA or other rehabilitation groups.
Turtles and Snakes
Since opening, the WA Wildlife Marine Turtle Intensive Care Facility has treated both Loggerhead and Green turtles – two of the most common marine turtle species found in Western Australian waters, both facing significant threats from entanglement, ingestion of marine debris, vessel strikes and disease.
In addition to turtles, our experienced team has successfully treated highly venomous sea snakes, including Yellow-bellied and Elegant sea snakes. These patients require specialised handling protocols and intensive veterinary care, often involving advanced procedures.
Our capabilities extend beyond routine treatment. The team can perform complex surgeries on marine wildlife and, through our partnership with specialist veterinary imaging provider Animalius, we are able to conduct CT scans to diagnose internal injuries, assess bone healing and investigate other complex conditions.
Once our veterinary team treat and stabilise, the animals are transferred to AQWA for long term rehabilitation.
This combination of expertise, facilities and partnerships ensures WA Wildlife can provide world-class veterinary care for some of the ocean’s most vulnerable and challenging patients.
