08 Nov Treating sea snakes is a specialist job
Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue made a commitment to rescue, study and rehabilitate sea snakes, along with the other species that the organisation cares for. This is not carried out anywhere else in NSW.
As sea snakes are venomous there are stringent safety needs and codes of practice that are required to be adhered to. The grant from Wildlife Heroes has enabled the organisation to create a dedicated area that specifically deals with the safe care of these marine reptiles. We have also been able to ensure the safety of our staff, volunteers and visitors by ensuring that we have the specialised, lockable and escape proof tanks required for their care. We have also installed specialised filtration and monitoring equipment so the water quality in their tanks is of the highest quality. Seasnakes found stranded on the beach should always be reported to a licenced wildlife rescue organisation and never returned to the water until their health and safety can be ascertained.