Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center - University of New England

More documents

Recommendations

Info

First Sea Turtle Release of the Season By: Dr. Michele A. Sims, D.V.M. In mid-April, three of our six cold-stunned Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle patients were driven south for release back into the wild. All three turtles stranded in November of 2010, were triaged at the New England Aquarium, and were then transferred to UNE’s Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center for treatment. “Cold-stunning” is a term that refers to stranding events that occur late in the fall season when sea turtles, primarily of the juvenile age-class, fail to make their migration south before the water temperatures around Cape Cod drop rapidly. When this occurs, the turtles suffer from hypothermia, which affects their metabolism and ability to perform normal functions such as swimming and foraging for food. This is similar to the effects we see in humans who are exposed to cold water for extended periods of time. The turtles then drift, often for days, before finally washing up on the local beaches of Cape Cod. By the time they reach shore, they are immune-compromised. Many suffer from pneumonia and multi-organ failure, as well as trauma incurred while floating into rocks and other objects along the way. Kemp’s Ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) sea turtles are the most endangered of the world’s seven species, making the work at MARC that much more important. Each individual turtle that makes it to release has the potential to contribute to a growth of the population. Two of the three turtles released were Pollux (#10-110Lk) and Theseus (#10-113Lk). Both turtles suffered only minor metabolic abnormalities and small abrasions so recovery was very fast; weeks instead of months. The third turtle, Apollo (#10-111Lk), had developed pneumonia which was treated with antibiotics and antifungals and monitored closely with regular radiographs of his lungs. All three turtles were nursed back to good health, were eating live prey and were considered ready for release. The only problem was that the water in New England was still too cold for release and will likely not be warm enough until August. However, the water along with southeast United States, within the normal migration route of Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles, was warm enough in April. Pollux, Theseus, and Apollo joined a caravan of approximately 24 turtles from the New England Aquarium and other turtle rehabilitation facilities and made the journey south for warmer release-appropriate waters. Photo courtesy of New England Aquarium: MARC sea turtles make their way back to the shoreline at their April Florida release.
MARCing the Years: Major Milestones in the History of the Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center 2011 Animals in Numbers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "#$%!&'#(! "))*'*!&'#(! "#$+)$!&'#(! ,$'-!&'#(! .'/#0'#1&!! 2'#!/3$/('! 4566!7)/#(!89#1:;#-
Page 1 and 2: Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center
Page 3: Marine Animal Facts o o o Kemp’s
Page 7 and 8: Pathogen Identification and Monitor
Page 9 and 10: 2010-2011 Marine Animal Rehabilitat

Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center - University of New England

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?