Connie the green turtle should finally be cruising free at sea after being released following a second stint in turtle rehab.
Back in 2018, Connie was found stranded in Henderson Bay in the far North; weighing just 18 kilos - less than half what she should be.
The team at Kelly Tarlton's nursed her back to tip top condition and let her loose in 2019.
But Connie bounced back in less than ideal circumstances and in true turtle style it's been a slow recovery until now.
Sea Life Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium aquarist Jessica Van De Pass said Connie's persistent health issues may have been caused by ingesting plastic - a common problem facing sea turtles.
"She came back to us in 2020, she was quite sick, she had chronic pneumonia and she had problems with her digestion this could of been from ingesting plastics which is quite common for sea turtles out there."
Green turtle Connie released in the Far North Photo: Supplied
"This just blocks up their digestive systems and then it just stops them from getting the right food and nutrients into them and then they just lose weight," Van De Pas said.
During her second rehabilitation stint, Connie was known for being more friendly towards humans than the other turtles, she said.
Van De Pas and another Kelly Tarlton's employee released Connie from Rangiputa Beach in the Far North last week.
She said it was a bittersweet moment seeing her return to nature.
Green turtle Connie released in the Far North. Photo: Supplied
"It was so awesome to see her just swim out there and be free again just back in her home.
"It's such a bittersweet moment to see them go," she said.
Connie had been fitted with a flipper tag that allows her to be identified if she has to bounce back for a third round of rehabilitation.
Van De Pas said it would be a first for Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium if Connie returned for a third time.
