Sea Turtles

Sea Turtles (Hawksbill - Ereinochelys imbricata)

 

Hawksbill turtles are the only ones of this type kept in New Zealand and came to Napier from Fiji in 1976 when they were only the size of a dinner plate and initially grew about 5cm a year. They are friendly and learn to recognise individual staff, who treat them as pets and hand feed them. They have a beak like a hawk for crushing coral and shell fish and will eat almost anything, including poisonous coral and sponges.

 

Hawkesbill turtles come to New Zealand waters every year from Fiji. If the water temperatures drop quickly the turtles may get sick and not be able to return home. They are sometimes rescued from our waters and flown back to Fiji.