The juvenile hawksbill found floating on the surface and in distress was delivered to researchers at UQ's Moreton Bay Research Station on North

Stradbroke Island and placed in intensive care.

The station's Education Coordinator, Dr Kathy Townsend, said that when Connie first arrived, she was extremely weak and dehydrated.

Connie was quickly diagnosed as having "floating syndrome" in which a blockage in the gut prevents the food she consumed from being digested. The trapped food decomposed, leaking gases into the body cavity and causing the turtle to float.

Floating syndrome is often caused by the turtles mistakenly eating plastic and other rubbish.

After spending a week at UQ`s Moreton Bay Research Station, Connie was then transferred to Australia Zoo. After three weeks there she was brought back to Moreton Bay.

Prior to release she was tagged by Marine Parks ranger and North Stradbroke Island traditional owner Darren Burns.

Connie was taken out on a UQ research boat to a protected part of Moreton Bay for release.

"She virtually jumped out of my arms as soon as she saw the water," Dr Townsend said.

"We released her in a beautiful area with coral and a huge number of jellyfish. She'll be spoiled for choice."

"Hundreds of turtles are not as lucky as Connie, and many of them die slow painful deaths from having consumed human induced rubbish," Dr Townsend said.

TURTLEFEST

IF you want to learn more about turtles, come along to UQ Turtlefest this Saturday, from 10am to 3pm.

This family-orientated affair will offer a variety of turtle related activities for people of all ages, including a live link to a scuba diver in the turtle aquarium at Reef HQ in Townsville.

Moreton Bay Research Station is at the corner of Flinders Avenue and Fraser Street, Dunwich, North Stradbroke Island. Entry is free and children must be accompanied by an adult.

More info: 3409 9058.