15 July 2024
A recent school trip to clean up Binningup Beach took an unexpected turn for three students from Parkfield Primary School.
The Parkfield Learning and Understanding Sustainability excursion changed focus when the students discovered a hatchling loggerhead turtle, washed ashore by recent storms and clearly in distress.
Students from Parkfield Primary School discovered a turtle during their beach clean up.
The students, took immediate action and carefully rescued the turtle, wrapping him in a towel and looking after him until someone from the Dolphin Discovery Centre arrived to help.
He was tiny, just 58 grams, and missing a flipper.
He had likely hatched near Ningaloo Reef and was carried south by the current before being washed ashore.
The diligent students likely saved him from predators.
The caring students named the turtle after the water Pokémon, Squirtle.
Parkfield Primary School, Mitch Jefferys, told The West Australian Newspaper,
The students named the turtle Squirtle after the Pokémon.
"The kids were really proud and excited to have made a difference in this turtle’s life.
“I was rapt to be a part of it and am so proud of how well the kids handled it all.
“I don’t think we’ll be able to top this at the next school trip.”
The original purpose of the excursion was fulfilled also, the students planting 5106 seedlings in the dunes and collecting more than 600 items of rubbish from the beach.