Summary
Catch a rare glimpse of Australia’s precious loggerhead turtles hatching in their incubation chambers and the first moments of their ocean lives as they meet a seawater environment in specially designed tanks. After the Festival, the new-born turtles will be transported to the Sunshine Coast and released 20 km offshore.
The Hatchery is an important conservation initiative that has released almost 500 loggerhead turtles since it started. It has been designed in collaboration with internationally renowned herpetologist Colin Limpus and Queensland Museum Senior Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians, Biodiversity Program and Chair of the Animal Ethics Committee, Patrick Couper.
FEATURING
Patrick Couper
Patrick Couper
Patrick Couper is the Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians at Queensland Museum and has an active research interest in the taxonomy, ecology, biogeography and conservation of Queensland’s diverse reptile fauna....
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Mark Hamann
Mark Hamann
Mark Hamann is a marine biologist at James Cook University (JCU) in Townsville. His research focusses on the biology and conservation of marine turtles; examining their behaviour in relation to...
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Kate Hofmeister
Kate Hofmeister
Kate Hofmeister coordinates TurtleCare Sunshine Coast, a large citizen science turtle research project operating on the Sunshine Coast. Kate coordinates important research on the critically endangered Loggerhead Turtle in partnership...
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Microplastics and Environmental Health research group at UQ
Microplastics and Environmental Health research group at UQ
The microplastics research team at the Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), University of Queensland, aims to better understand how plastics are released into the Australian natural and built...
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Accessibility
To discuss your access requirements and to book any access services for performances, please call QTIX on 136 246.
Individual Session for visitors who prefer a quieter, sensory-friendly experience. Limited spaces available and bookings are essential. Patrons must book in advance. For sensory-friendly bookings please call QTIX on 136 246.
COVID-19
The health and safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers at the Queensland Museum and World Science Festival Brisbane is our priority. World Science Festival Brisbane events in 2022 will operate in line with Queensland Government public health measures. Festival attendees aged 16 years or over must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and show proof of vaccination (unless medically exempt) on entry to festival venues. Learn More
Livestream Information
The Hatchery will be live streamed from Wednesday to Sunday with support from AARNET.
Come back soon to access the live-streaming link during the festival.
Extra Resources
The Loggerhead Turtle eggs used in The Hatchery were collected from Mon Repos Beach on the Bundaberg coast. Approximately 180,000 eggs were laid on this coast during the 2021-22 nesting season.
This animal is at home on land just as much as at sea. Tune in with our friend Chantal to find out what it is and discover a fun activity for you to try at home.
Contains curriculum links to:
Early Years, Prep, 1
Biology
In this resource, students learn about current research and be a scientist, analysing evidence from millions of years ago, and then their local environment, to make predictions.
Contains curriculum links to:
Years 7, 9
Biology
The coastal waters of Queensland are important breeding and feeding habitat for marine turtles. Six of the world’s seven marine turtle species are known from Queensland.
Cost
Free, ticketed