Rare hybrid turtles hatched at Mon Repos

Issued: 23 May 2026

A recent discovery of hybrid turtle hatchlings is highlighting how vital Queensland is in protecting and preserving marine turtle species for future generations.

Queensland is home to six of the world’s seven marine turtle species, including the endangered loggerhead turtle and the green turtle.

The Mon Repos Conservation Park, located near Bundaberg, supports the largest number of nesting marine turtles on the eastern Australian mainland, welcoming visitors to the Mon Repos Turtle Centre to witness this breathtaking natural phenomenon in person.

Earlier this year, the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) discovered a clutch of loggerhead x green turtle hatchlings on the beach, offering an exciting opportunity to gain valuable insights.

Two of these hybrid turtle hatchlings were safely transported to Sea World, located on the Gold Coast, where loggerhead x green turtles have been previously researched.

This World Turtle Day (Saturday 23 May), DETSI is reminding people of the important role Queensland plays in marine turtle conservation.

Principal Conservation Officer Dr Kimberly Finlayson said hybridisation between turtle species is uncommon, but it has been documented across all sea turtle species.

“These hatchlings will help us better understand hybridisation. Specifically, we hope to learn more about their morphology as they develop, and whether these turtles will be able to reproduce, which is rarely the case for hybrids,” Dr Finlayson said.

“We knew these hatchlings would be in safe hands at Sea World, with their decades of marine conservation expertise and capability to provide specialised care.”

Sea World Aquarium Supervisor Siobhan Houlihan said for over thirty years the marine park has contributed towards turtle research, rescue, and conservation efforts, and World Turtle Day is a wonderful opportunity to share these efforts with the community.

“We are proud to work with DETSI to continue conservation efforts for marine turtles by providing a temporary home for these adorable two hybrid hatchlings,” Ms Houlihan said.

“The turtles are being cared for in our aquatic research, rescue, and rehabilitation area where our experienced aquarist team can monitor their health, manage their diet and document their growth, with all this data providing incredible insight into the hybrid species which will help researchers into the future.”

The Queensland Government has committed $10 million to deliver the Sea World Foundation Wildlife Hospital.

A few facts and turtle conservation highlights for World Turtle Day:

• Since 2014, more than 40,000 turtle nests have been monitored under the jointly funded Nest to Turtle Protection program, resulting in an estimated 2.5 million hatchlings safely reaching the ocean.
• The Queensland Government has been conducting turtle research for more than 50 years at Mon Repos, and the success of nesting and hatching turtles at this site is critical for the survival of the endangered loggerhead turtle.
• The Queensland Government is delivering five new and expanded wildlife hospitals throughout Queensland, including a dedicated turtle rehabilitation facility on Green Island.
• Raine Island is the world’s most significant green turtle nesting site and is the only known regular breeding site for the critically endangered herald petrel, and the Raine Island Recovery Project aims to protect and restore the island’s critical habitat.