Bob the baby loggerhead turtle was not strong enough to make the journey from egg to sea when he first hatched.

For most infant turtles, this is a certain cause of death. Bob got lucky, however, when he was picked up by the team at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital.

Just days old, he was found in Noosa Heads, abandoned by his brothers and sisters who had already begun the long journey to the ocean.

Bob the loggerhead turtle was admitted to the Wildlife Hospital with an infection on his underside after failing to make his way to the ocean after hatching.

He weighed a tiny 22 grams – about the same as ¼ cup of flour – and had an infection on his underside.

“It’s rare that we see such a fresh hatchling, especially at this time of year when most have already made their way to the ocean,’ said Dr Danny Brown, Bob’s treating Vet.

There was a bit of friendly competition around this one, we all wanted to work with him—he is very cute!”

Bob is one of the 132 turtle patients the animal hospital has treated over the last 12 months.

Though it is not uncommon for turtles to be stranded on the beach, a number of human activities have also contributed to the turtles’ increasing disappearance.

The Wildlife Hospital says fishing tackle entanglement, boat strikes and floating syndrome caused by plastic ingestion are all big contributors to the death of turtles.

The tiny turtle is recovering well, and will soon be ready to join his brothers and sisters back where he belongs

Marine turtles have nested on parts of Queensland's coast for thousands of years and can be aged 30-50 before they begin to breed. Their breeding season might only occur once every two to eight years.

Hatchlings like Bob have a low chance of survival, with the possibility of just one in 1000 reaching maturity.

Turtle treatment can cost around $100 - $200 per day with a stay of up to three months and sometimes longer.

The Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors program plays a huge part in funding the work of the hospital that meant Bob gets a second chance at life.

“Bob is recovering really well; he’s getting stronger and stronger with each day and thankfully, his infection is healing quite nicely,” said Dr Brown.