Post by Argo on Jan 17, 2006 3:20:40 GMT -5
Another example of Mans Inhumanity and thoughtlesness.............All who do clean ups will know how much junk mankind (sic) dumps into the sea. This is a result of it...............It makes me sick to think that we are classed as the most intelligent form of life on this planet.....
____________________________________________
Tangled turtle dies, aged 150
By Kate Lahey
A 150-year-old turtle that came to shore on Victoria's south coast cut and disabled by discarded fishing tackle has died.
Vets and wildlife officers tried desperately to save the 2m-long, 350kg leatherback – an endangered species – but it died in transit, suffering cuts to its head, rope burns and necrotic, or gangrenous, muscle.
Healesville Sanctuary vet Kelly O'Sullivan said the rare male turtle came to shore near Venus Bay, south-east of Melbourne, on Saturday afternoon.
"He was entangled in discarded fishing and shark nets and he had buoys wrapped around both pectoral fins," Ms O'Sullivan said.
"He also had a long line (attached to him)."
A local farming family helped wildlife officers by providing a tractor to pull the turtle on to a ute on a mattress in a bear net from Melbourne Zoo, Ms O'Sullivan said.
The turtle was blinking and showing signs of life, but his condition was extremely poor, she said.
"He'd come ashore because he was dying. We would have had to euthanase him if he hadn't died," Ms O'Sullivan said.
"The injuries were severe."
Ms O'Sullivan said the turtle was suffering necrosis, "a green, infected area of muscle".
"With the amount of gear he had on him, he also had abrasions on his skull and the usual rope burn marks.
She said the extent of the injuries resulted from weeks or months of entanglement.
An Australian turtle expert has estimated the turtle's age as 150, half a century less than a typical lifespan of a leatherbacks which often reached 200 years.
Leatherback turtles were found in southern Australian waters but seeing one was uncommon, Ms O'Sullivan said.
"They're Australia's rarest marine turtle, they're an endangered species," she said.
A post mortem was conducted yesterday and Melbourne Museum will have first preference for the turtle's remains, Ms O'Sullivan said.
Ms O'Sullivan said the turtle's death should highlight the dangers of discarding fishing nets, long lines and craypots in the ocean, and she urged people to pick up rubbish that could harm marine wildlife.
Staff from the Department of Sustainability and Wildlife, Melbourne Aquarium, Melbourne Zoo and surf lifesavers also helped with the rescue.
www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17836366%255E1702,00.html
____________________________________________
Tangled turtle dies, aged 150
By Kate Lahey
A 150-year-old turtle that came to shore on Victoria's south coast cut and disabled by discarded fishing tackle has died.
Vets and wildlife officers tried desperately to save the 2m-long, 350kg leatherback – an endangered species – but it died in transit, suffering cuts to its head, rope burns and necrotic, or gangrenous, muscle.
Healesville Sanctuary vet Kelly O'Sullivan said the rare male turtle came to shore near Venus Bay, south-east of Melbourne, on Saturday afternoon.
"He was entangled in discarded fishing and shark nets and he had buoys wrapped around both pectoral fins," Ms O'Sullivan said.
"He also had a long line (attached to him)."
A local farming family helped wildlife officers by providing a tractor to pull the turtle on to a ute on a mattress in a bear net from Melbourne Zoo, Ms O'Sullivan said.
The turtle was blinking and showing signs of life, but his condition was extremely poor, she said.
"He'd come ashore because he was dying. We would have had to euthanase him if he hadn't died," Ms O'Sullivan said.
"The injuries were severe."
Ms O'Sullivan said the turtle was suffering necrosis, "a green, infected area of muscle".
"With the amount of gear he had on him, he also had abrasions on his skull and the usual rope burn marks.
She said the extent of the injuries resulted from weeks or months of entanglement.
An Australian turtle expert has estimated the turtle's age as 150, half a century less than a typical lifespan of a leatherbacks which often reached 200 years.
Leatherback turtles were found in southern Australian waters but seeing one was uncommon, Ms O'Sullivan said.
"They're Australia's rarest marine turtle, they're an endangered species," she said.
A post mortem was conducted yesterday and Melbourne Museum will have first preference for the turtle's remains, Ms O'Sullivan said.
Ms O'Sullivan said the turtle's death should highlight the dangers of discarding fishing nets, long lines and craypots in the ocean, and she urged people to pick up rubbish that could harm marine wildlife.
Staff from the Department of Sustainability and Wildlife, Melbourne Aquarium, Melbourne Zoo and surf lifesavers also helped with the rescue.
www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17836366%255E1702,00.html
