Endangered hawksbill turtle saved at Patong Beach now rehabilitating

[snoop1130]

 

An endangered hawksbill turtle, found stranded at Patong Beach earlier this week, has been taken into the care of the Siritharn Rare Marine Life Rescue Centre, at Ao Makham on the eastern coast of Phuket.

 

Responding to an alert by the beach lifeguards, officials from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) quickly arrived on the scene. Marine biologists assessed the turtle’s status before relocating it to the rescue centre for rehabilitation and further observation.

 

After close examination, it was confirmed that the turtle is a young hawksbill, with a weight of 2.7 kilogrammes. Its shell measures 34 centimetres in length and 29 centimetres in width.

 

The turtle had a noticeable wound to one of its flippers, assumed to be the result of a collision with a propeller blade. Added to this, an X-ray unveiled a blockade in its gastrointestinal system. A medical examination verified that the turtle was grappling with protein deficiency, reported The Phuket News.

 

Even though it’s still unclear what caused the turtle’s gastrointestinal obstruction, marine biologists drew on past experiences where such blockages were primarily due to plastic ingestion.

 

By Mitch Connor

Caption: Picture courtesy of DMCR

 

#news

Full Story: https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/endangered-hawksbill-turtle-saved-from-patong-beach-now-under-rehabilitation

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-06

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Even though it’s still unclear what caused the turtle’s gastrointestinal obstruction, marine biologists drew on past experiences where such blockages were primarily due to plastic ingestion.

A sad reminder of our slow destruction of our own planet by misuse and mis-management of rubbish.