KEY POINTS:
Tarly the loggerhead turtle is off to sea.
She may not know exactly where she's going, but those monitoring her satellite tag will know where she's been.
Tarly has been with Kelly Tarlton's underwater rescue and rehabilitation team for the past 14 months. She was found distressed and exhausted at Baylys Beach near Dargaville in November 2007 by a couple out for a walk. They reported her to Department of Conservation officers and she was taken into care. At only 47kg, she was seriously underweight, and had large wounds on the back of her head.
Tarly now weighs 80kg, although loggerheads can grow to 360kg. They feed on molluscs, crustaceans, fish and jellyfish, which they crush with powerful jaws.
There are only seven species of sea turtle worldwide. They are generally found in tropical and subtropical waters, although sightings are becoming more frequent in New Zealand.
Tarly returns to the wild today at Tutukaka in Northland.
