Don’t eat that trash ... Marine debris from human pollution is endangering sea turtles
Ocean Park notices a worrying trend of clogged intestines in rescued turtles because the animals mistake garbage for food
Half of the 23 protected green turtles sent to Ocean Park after being rescued from sea in the past five years had their intestines blocked by marine debris.
The theme park revealed this Thursday, and also said one of the rescued animals received the first ever advanced intestinal surgery for a turtle in December. The juvenile turtle, nicknamed ‘Elmo’, was found on Silverstrand Beach last November in critical condition.
Examinations showed that Elmo had fish hooks, fishing nets, fishing lines and plastics in her abdomen which caused a ruptured colon and obstruction of the intestinal tract, according to Dr Paolo Martelli, director of veterinary service at the park.
He said 12 out of 23 sea turtles they received in the past five years were affected by marine debris.
Suzanne Gendron, executive director of zoological operations and education, said: “Elmo’s unfortunate experience shows how human activities, especially our pollution to the ocean, threaten marine lives. We must alter the bad habits in our daily lives to conserve the ocean.”
She added that besides ingesting debris, turtles can also get entangled in fishing nets and lines.
