Turtle hatchlings wash up on northern beaches hundreds of kilometres from northern NSW breeding ground

Huge swells have resulted in tiny turtle hatchlings, no bigger than 5cm, washing up on beaches hundreds of kilometres from their homes.

Tiny baby turtles weighing no more than 40 grams are among the smallest victims of the NSW flood emergency, with wildlife volunteers urging residents to keep an eye out for stranded animals.

Hundreds of kilometres away from their regular breeding grounds off the northern NSW coast, tiny loggerhead hatchlings, no bigger than 5cm and weighing between 27-40g, have been washing up on northern Sydney beaches.

Australian Seabird Rescue volunteer Robert Olive, who rehabilitates the lost hatchlings, said the increase in wildlife washing up on beaches was due to a combination of factors.

“The Eastern Australian Current is running close to the coast, which is pushing the hatchlings down from their northern NSW breeding grounds,” he said.

“Combined with the high swell and big waves due to the weather … We’re seeing a lot wash up. It’s quite unusual to see this many hatchlings.”

He said so far this year, 10 hatchlings had washed up.

“These animals are small and they’re dealing with waves that are 5m high … they’re having a rough time,” he said.

The turtle hatchlings that have washed up weigh between 27-40g and are no bigger than 5cm. Picture: Robert Olive via NCA NewsWire

Australian Seabirds Rescue have asked anyone who finds a distressed sea animal along the NSW coast to contact them. Picture: Robert Olive via NCA NewsWire

Northern beaches residents have been scouring the shore for injured or distressed animals amid the heavy rain, and Mr Olive said those creatures would be taken into care.

“We find them intensive care and get them strong again before they’re transported back up off northern NSW to be re-released,” he said.

“We feed them every day and ensure they have the correct nutrition.”

The hatchlings have been taken into care and will eventually be re-released in northern NSW. Picture: Robert Olive via NCA NewsWire

Mr Olive said it wasn’t just turtles who were falling victim to the wild weather but also seabirds and sea snakes.

“My advice to anyone who finds an animal on the beach, call Australian Seabird Rescue. We have a branch in Ballina that covers northern NSW, a branch in Newcastle for the central coast, and a south coast branch that covers Sydney,” he said.

To report an animal, contact [phone].