Abstract
An investigation into the health of green turtles was undertaken near Gladstone, Queensland, in response to a dramatic increase in stranding numbers in the first half of 2011. A total of 56 live turtles were subject to clinical examination and blood sampling for routine blood profiles, and 12 deceased turtles underwent a thorough necropsy examination. This population of green turtles was found to be in poor body condition and a range of infectious and non-infectious conditions were identified in the unhealthy turtles, including hepato-renal insufficiency (up to 81%, 27/33 based on clinical pathology), cachexia (92%, 11/12), parasitism (75%, 9/12), cardiopulmonary anomalies (42%, 5/12), gastroenteritis (25%, 3/12), masses (25%, 3/12) and mechanical impediments (17%, 2/12 based on necropsy). Overall, there was no evidence to indicate a unifying disease as a primary cause of the mass mortality. Recent adverse weather events, historic regional contamination and nearby industrial activities are discussed as potential causative factors.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the support provided by staff from the Gladstone office of the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (DEHP), Dr Megan Ellis (Gladstone Ports Authority), Drs Gabrielle and Scott McAuley (Gladstone Veterinary Clinic) and volunteers Kathy Starr and Nat Ling Jin, who assisted with sample collection and processing. Damon Shearer (DEHP) kindly provided space and facilities for undertaking the health examinations, and assisted in submission of cadavers and associated information for necropsy examination. Staff from the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital also assisted with submission of cadavers. Biochemistry results were provided by Brian Bynon and Mark Roper from the Veterinary Sciences Diagnostic Services (VSDS, School of Veterinary Sciences, The University of Queensland). Samples for histopathology were processed by Chris Cazier and Mark Roper (VSDS, School of Veterinary Sciences, The University of Queensland). This project was funded through an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant.
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Flint, M., Eden, P.A., Limpus, C.J. et al. Clinical and Pathological Findings in Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) from Gladstone, Queensland: Investigations of a Stranding Epidemic. EcoHealth 12, 298–309 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-014-0972-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-014-0972-5