Raine Island conservationists have managed to bring the endangered green turtle back from the brink after more than 30 years of global endangerment.
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The population around Queensland's Cape York Peninsular has been in decline for three decades, but in the past three years, record numbers of hatchlings have taken to the oceans.
In 2019, the Great Barrier Reef Foundation's Raine Island Restoration Project recorded 64,000 nesting turtles during its peak breeding season.
Another 12,000 were counted during the latest research trip last year.
Raine Island continues to be the world's largest green turtle nesting site.
"Over the next decade, millions more hatchlings will begin life on the Reef due to the project's work increasing nesting areas and installing fences to keep nesting females safe from cliff falls," a spokesperson for the restoration project said in a statement.
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Emma Horn
Supervising producer of the national video team. Former features and weekender writer for The Daily Advertiser. Now based in the NSW Hunter region. Small, quiet, and a student of the Paddington Bear School Of Staring. Usually dressed in something colourful, always snacking on something homemade, often watching birds. Friend to most mothers and all dogs. Got stories? Get in touch. emma.horn@austcommunitymedia.com.au
