ST. CROIX — Efforts from organizations on this island and St. Thomas, as well as a local airline helped save the life of a wounded sea turtle, a press release issued on Wednesday by Coral World Ocean Park, based in St. Thomas, has made known.
According to the release, Staff at The Nature Conservancy (TNC) had noticed a serious injury that resulted in the inability of a large green sea turtle to deposit her eggs on St. Croix’s East End Beaches. The turtle had a deep and large crack across the top of her carapace, likely caused by a boat strike. After several observations of unsuccessful nesting events and abnormal flipper movements, the TNC staff contacted STAR (Sea Turtle Assistance and Rescue) and a decision was made by several sea turtle and veterinary professionals to remove the turtle from the beach and give her a thorough evaluation and subsequent care. Staff from TNC, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and several volunteers took on the task of transporting the large turtle off a remote beach and preparing her for veterinary care and transport to St. Thomas.
Veterinary staff from Progressive Veterinary Care on St. Croix performed an ultrasound and confirmed that the turtle was carrying eggs. The turtle’s size limited the diagnostic possibilities on St. Croix, according to Palmer, so she was brought to Coral World for additional evaluation on September 4, 2016. Coral World is also the only facility in the US Virgin Islands that has appropriate facilities to house a large turtles and veterinary staff that focuses on marine animals. Veterinarian Michelle Halverson from Canines Cats and Critters took x-rays and performed another ultrasound. Palmer added, “At Coral World, we provided supportive care and antibiotics, and dealt with the infection of her wound over several weeks. Because the turtle was carrying eggs, we were anxious to get her back to the ocean.”
Image provided by Coral World Ocean Park.
She was cleared to be released on September 28. Cape Air generously brought a special cargo plane from Puerto Rico to St. Thomas to fly the turtle and Palmer to St Croix on September 30. They made all arrangements with the airport and had many Cape Air staff help load and unload the very large turtle at each end of the transport. Palmer stated, “The turtle was successfully released back to the East End Beaches where she was originally found by TNC. The hope is that she comes back to lay her eggs this season and for many years to come.
All sea turtles are designated as either threatened or endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973. Violations can result in up to one year in prison, up to a $100,000 fine, and the confiscation of any equipment used during the criminal act.
The decline of sea turtle populations is primarily due to human exploitation, loss or degradation of nesting habitat from coastal development and beach armoring; disorientation of hatchlings by beachfront lighting; nest predation by native and non-native predators; degradation of foraging habitat; marine pollution and debris; watercraft strikes; and incidental take from commercial fishing operations. Continued efforts are needed to protect nesting beaches; minimize the threat from illegal exploitation through intensified law enforcement efforts to curb the incidence of poaching and harassment.
STAR is a collaboration of NGO’s, territorial and federal agencies, veterinarians, and community volunteers. These groups have collaborated to help injured sea turtles, as well as collect and disseminate information on stranded turtles, to better protect these marine animals.
STAR relies on many community volunteers, local veterinarians and other donated resources. The most important participant in STAR, however, is YOU! Please call the hotline at (340) 690-0474 to report any entrapped, disoriented, sick, injured, or dead sea turtle.
General Curator Lee Kellar observed, “Coral World is the only approved Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Facility in the Virgin Islands, and has been conducting and funding turtle rehabilitation since it reopened in 1997 as part of its mission to educate, to inspire appreciation for the Caribbean marine environment, and to participate in conservation efforts.
Staff at The Nature Conservancy (TNC) had noticed a serious injury that resulted in the inability of a large green sea turtle to deposit her eggs on St. Croix’s East End Beaches. The turtle had a deep and large crack across the top of her carapace, likely caused by a boat strike. After several observations of unsuccessful nesting events and abnormal flipper movements, the TNC staff contacted STAR (Sea Turtle Assistance and Rescue) and a decision was made by several sea turtle and veterinary professionals to remove the turtle from the beach and give her a thorough evaluation and subsequent care. Staff from TNC, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and several volunteers took on the task of transporting this large turtle off a remote beach and preparing her for veterinary care and transport to St. Thomas.
Veterinary staff from Progressive Veterinary Care on St. Croix performed an ultrasound and confirmed that the turtle was carrying eggs. The turtle’s size limited the diagnostic possibilities on St. Croix, according to Palmer, so she was brought to Coral World for additional evaluation on September 4, 2016. Coral World is also the only facility in the US Virgin Islands that has appropriate facilities to house a large turtles and veterinary staff that focuses on marine animals. Veterinarian Michelle Halverson from Canines Cats and Critters took x-rays and performed another ultrasound. Palmer added, “At Coral World, we provided supportive care and antibiotics, and dealt with the infection of her wound over several weeks. Because the turtle was carrying eggs, we were anxious to get her back to the ocean.”
Photo provided by Coral World Ocean View
She was cleared to be released on September 28. Cape Air generously brought a special cargo plane from Puerto Rico to St Thomas to fly the turtle and Palmer to St Croix on September 30. They made all arrangements with the airport and had many Cape Air staff help load and unload the very large turtle at each end of the transport. Palmer stated, “The turtle was successfully released back to the East End Beaches where she was originally found by TNC. The hope is that she comes back to lay her eggs this season and for many years to come.
All sea turtles are designated as either threatened or endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973. Violations can result in up to one year in prison, up to a $100,000 fine, and the confiscation of any equipment used during the criminal act
The decline of sea turtle populations is primarily due to human exploitation, loss or degradation of nesting habitat from coastal development and beach armoring; disorientation of hatchlings by beachfront lighting; nest predation by native and non-native predators; degradation of foraging habitat; marine pollution and debris; watercraft strikes; and incidental take from commercial fishing operations. Continued efforts are needed to protect nesting beaches; minimize the threat from illegal exploitation through intensified law enforcement efforts to curb the incidence of poaching and harassment.
STAR is a collaboration of NGO’s, territorial and federal agencies, veterinarians, and community volunteers. These groups have collaborated to help injured sea turtles, as well as collect and disseminate information on stranded turtles, to better protect these marine animals.
STAR relies on many community volunteers, local veterinarians and other donated resources. The most important participant in STAR, however, is YOU! Please call the hotline at (340) 690-0474 to report any entrapped, disoriented, sick, injured, or dead sea turtle.
General Curator Lee Kellar observed, “Coral World is the only approved Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Facility in the Virgin Islands, and has been conducting and funding turtle rehabilitation since it reopened in 1997 as part of its mission to educate, to inspire appreciation for the Caribbean marine environment, and to participate in conservation efforts.
Tags: sea turtle saved
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