Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital is conducting ground-breaking research into a mysterious shell disease discovered in green sea turtles.
Following devastating floods in Queensland in recent times, the wildlife hospital has been treating green sea turtles found with ulcerated open wounds on their shells and flippers, often leading to the exposure of the underlying bone.
The veterinary team suspects that this is linked to diminishing sea grass availability.
Due to low food supply, the turtles are consuming a food source that normally contributes to a small part of their diet. In turn, this also causes severe gastrointestinal issues.
Wildlife hospital supervisor and veterinarian Ludo Valenza said that since November 2021, staff had received 76 green sea turtles affected by the disease.
“Initially, the turtles affected were large adults weighing over 100kg,” Dr Valenza said.
“Then, we saw a number of smaller adults, and now we are back to seeing large adult turtles admitted.
“The investigation into the cause of this disease is still underway, so our aim at the wildlife hospital is to treat any secondary infections the turtles are developing as a result of being immuno-compromised.”
The wildlife hospital, a flagship project of the Wildlife Warriors charity, is working tirelessly with researchers to find a cure for this disease, which is leaving a catastrophic effect on the population of marine turtles.
While the wildlife hospital is busier than ever, having treated 290 sea turtles in the past year, most turtles currently in care are suffering from the soft-shell syndrome, including Amani the green sea turtle.
Amani was admitted recently and is responding to her medication well as she recovers in the Turtle Rehabilitation Pool and enjoys eating her favourite food: lettuce.
Because of the extent of the damage caused to her shell by this disease, it will take time for Amani to fully recover before she can return to the wild.
Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital said in a media release that the affected turtles could take months to heal. But while research is continuing into soft-shell syndrome, marine turtles are vulnerable in their natural habitat to other threats.
“We have also seen large turtles admitted after being hit by boats or fishing-line ingestion,” Dr Ludo said.
“The natural environment of these beautiful animals is being severely compromised, and I am extremely concerned for their long-term survival in the ocean.”
Wildlife Warriors founder Terri Irwin said she was proud of the wildlife hospital team members who were working around the clock to treat the high number of sea turtles being admitted.
“From the beginning, our goal at Wildlife Warriors has been to inspire and include more people in saving wildlife and wild places,” she said.
“The plight of sea turtles in the wild is alarming, and we need to do everything we can to ensure that the species is protected and around for future generations.”
Visit the Wildlife Warriors website for more.
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