A Green Turtle found near Eraring Power Station at Lake Macquarie has undergone life-saving surgery after swallowing seven fish hooks and having its intestines pierced by fishing line.
The 50kg turtle, believed to be female and close to breeding age which for this species is about 40 years, was rescued by concerned residents and taken to the Taronga Wildlife Hospital in Sydney – the sixth turtle brought into the hospital for care this year.
The hospital’s senior veterinarian Larry Vogelnest said the turtle was in a bad way upon arrival, but emergency surgery had thankfully stabilised the animal’s condition.
“I’ve never seen this many fishing hooks inside one turtle so it was a very difficult and delicate surgery,” he said.
“I was very concerned that this turtle wouldn’t survive because of the extent of the damage.
“While she’s not quite out of the woods yet, she is eating and doing well so I feel quietly optimistic about the outcome even if that does include a long road to recovery.
“Green Turtles are often found in and around Lake Macquarie as there is plenty of seagrass for the turtles to forage in.
“This turtle was brought in by rescuers who had seen it floating with a visible wound on its shell, which is believed to be from a boat strike.”
Vogelnest said X-rays revealed the turtle had ingested seven hooks, four of which were in a gang-hook formation.
“While the hooks themselves are problematic, it is the line that’s attached to the hooks that can cause the most damage,” he said.
“If a hook with fishing line becomes anchored to a part of the intestines, over time with natural movement of the intestine, the intestines bunch up and the line can cut through the intestines, causing the animal to die a slow and painful death.
“On ultrasound examination, I was very suspicious that there was bunching of the intestines, so we decided to perform surgery immediately.
“Surgery on these animals is extremely difficult, as everything is encased within the turtle’s shell, so the access is limited.”
During the surgery, Vogelnest was able to access parts of the intestines that were impacted and, together with the team, successfully remove the hooks and line.
The line had already damaged the turtle’s intestines but had not cut all the way through.
The procedure took five hours.
The Taronga Wildlife Hospital team is urging anglers to be mindful of their fishing lines and to seek assistance if they accidentally hook a turtle while fishing.
“If you accidentally hook a turtle or a bird such as a cormorant, please do not cut off the line and let it go,” Vogelnest said.
“Instead, please reach out to a wildlife rescue organisation for assistance or bring the animal to the Taronga Wildlife Hospital or a local vet for assistance.
“When cutting the line, it is important to leave a long length of line out of its mouth as that will help us get the hook out.
“Make sure the animal doesn’t swallow the hook and line further.
“If you have tape, you can gently tape the line to the turtle’s shell.”
Six of the world’s seven species of marine turtle occur in Australian waters, and all six are listed as endangered or vulnerable.
Marine turtles play a vital role in maintaining the health of the oceans because they are important transporters of nutrients across ecosystems, thus benefitting a wide range of species.
“Prevention is always better than cure, so I would encourage anglers to be responsible and to always safely discard fish hooks and line,” Vogelnest said.
Every year, 1500 animals are admitted to Taronga Wildlife Hospitals, and Taronga is the leading contributor to veterinary services in wildlife treatment and rehabilitation in NSW.
Source:
Taronga Wildlife Hospital