Team effort for turtle trio in trouble

MEDIA RELEASE
15 October 2014

Team effort for turtle trio in trouble

Kelly Tarlton’s SEA LIFE Aquarium and Auckland Zoo are hoping three sea turtles that came into their care in critically ill conditions after being rescued off Northland’s west coast in late September will get the second chance at life they deserve.

The ingestion of plastic is the suspected cause of gut impaction in a young male Hawksbill turtle, who today makes a trip from Kelly Tarlton’s to Auckland Zoo for further x-rays and health checks. A second Hawksbill and a green sea turtle have been at the Zoo for initial treatment and support. The second hawksbill will today move to Kelly Tarlton’s now its condition has stabilised. The green sea turtle remains critically ill and its future hangs in the balance.

“When Department of Conservation (DOC) staff brought these turtles down from Dargaville and Kaitaia, they were in a seriously bad way. While they had varying individual problems, they were all severely emaciated, dehydrated, suffering from bacterial infections and covered in algae and barnacles,” says Auckland Zoo senior vet, Dr James Chatterton.

“It’s been a real team effort to get them to where they are now, and we just hope that they’ll make it. Through our work with the Kelly Tarlton’s team last year, we also treated turtles that had ingested plastic.

“It’s pretty distressing to see the impact we humans are having on marine life like this. A recent WWF report suggests 50% of aquatic species have been lost in the past 40 years, with sea turtles one of the most affected, and significantly impacted by plastic in the ocean. Reducing our use of plastic and disposing of it safely is vital,” says Dr Chatterton.

Hawksbill and green sea turtles (both endangered species) are generally found in warmer, tropical waters, but can be washed up onto New Zealand’s shores during colder periods if they are weak and suffering from injury or illness.

Kelly Tarlton’s SEA LIFE Aquarium curator, Andrew Christie says these turtles often mistake plastics and other rubbish for staple food items like jellyfish and sponges.

“Once they swallow them - this causes a blockage, and begins a slow agonising death.

“These amazing animals are under threat globally. Kelly Tarlton’s and the SEA LIFE Trust take our responsibility to marine wildlife seriously, and are committed to playing our part in their ongoing survival’,” says Mr Christie.

Provided the health and rehabilitation of the three sea turtles progresses successfully, Kelly Tarlton’s and the Zoo say they could be released back to the wild later this summer.

The initial triage and ongoing rehabilitation of the turtles is generously supported by the Kelly Tarlton’s SEA LIFE Trust.

How you can help sea turtles

• If you come across a marine turtle on a beach anywhere in New Zealand, contact your local DOC office on 0800 HOT DOC (0800 362 468)
• Get involved: help with a local beach clean-up. Visit www.sustainablecoastlines.co.nz
• Choose wisely: Use re-usable eco-shopping bags to reduce your use of plastic

ABOUT AUCKLAND ZOO

Auckland Zoo is operated by Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA), a council-controlled organisation of Auckland Council. It is home to the largest collection of native and exotic wildlife species in New Zealand (over 1000 animals and 129 species) and attracts over 700,000 visitors annually. At the heart of all Auckland Zoo's work and activities is its mission: "to bring people together to build a future for wildlife”. A key conservation project is the creation of a unique new wildlife reserve on Rotoroa Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf with the Rotoroa Island Trust.

ABOUT MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS

MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS is the leading name in location-based, family entertainment, and has seen dynamic growth over the last five years. Europe’s Number 1 and the world’s second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates 99 attractions, eight hotels/three holiday villages in 22 countries and across four continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 54 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and more than 22,000 employees.

Merlin currently has thirteen attractions in Australia and New Zealand including the stunning Hotham and Falls Creek Alpine Resorts in Victoria; WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and WILD LIFE Hamilton Island; Madame Tussauds, Sydney; Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures and Otway Fly Treetop Adventures & Zip Line; the Sydney Tower Eye & SKYWALK; SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary, SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, Underwater World in Mooloolaba, Queensland; Kelly Tarlton’s SEA LIFE Aquarium in Auckland - underlining the company’s position as the world’s biggest global aquarium operator. Visit www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information.

ENDS

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