AangelStarr 
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(11/12/06 2:52 am)
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Charlie (the turtle formally known as Chloe)
Charlie (the turtle formally known as Chloe
Turtle Talk
As the traffic on our waterways continues to increase and pollution levels spiral out of control, it is our marine and sea bird life that suffers. We are well aware of the devastation caused by these factors here at the Australian Wildlife Hospital, where we see it all first-hand. This week alone, we have had four sea turtles washed up on local beaches. Three were Green Sea Turtles and one a Hawksbill.
Their common problem is that they are all ‘floaters’. Coccidia, blood fluke and obstructions (pollution) in the intestines causes this, and results in a large amount of gas accumulating under the shell. This, of course, makes them float. Once weakness, dehydration, hunger and barnacles set in, the turtles get so sick that they are washed ashore. Floating on the ocean surface also leaves them vulnerable to sunburn and boat strikes – OUCH!
Charlie (the turtle formally known as Chloe), was lucky when some lovely people stopped on their morning walk at Marcoola Beach to help him. They called the Australian Wildlife Hospital emergency hotline for assistance, and he is now safely residing in an ICU pool at the Hospital. Charlie will have x-rays, ultrasounds and other procedures to determine what the cause of his illness is. He and the others will most likely be in hospital for some time before they are fully recovered. Turtle re-habilitation takes a long time.
Sea turtles are one of our favorite marine creatures, so please help them by learning about them and following our top ten turtle tips:
Australia is home to six of the world’s seven species of sea turtles
Sea turtles have lived in the oceans for over 100 million years
All of Australia’s sea turtles are either listed as endangered or vulnerable
Leatherback turtles grow the largest, up to 900kg and can have a carapace length between 1.8 and 2.8 metres long.
When breeding, nesting females return to the same area, thought to be in the same region as they were born
If you see turtle nests in the wild, please do not interfere with them
When you find rubbish on the beach, pick it up and put it in the bin
Fishing tackle and plastics are a major threat to sea turtles, so clean it up!
Young marine turtles drift and feed in the open ocean. When they are about dinner plate-size, turtles settle near inshore feeding grounds where they can find sea grasses, algae, jellyfish and crustaceans
Take action and join your local community water watch group – become a Wildlife Warrior!
The face of nature reflects all of life's ups and downs. |
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