Plastic in turtle a timely reminder to care for our moana

Our vet team recently treated this tiny loggerhead turtle found washed up on Northland’s Tokerau Beach by locals Rachel and Steve.

Thanks to their quick action - contacting our Department of Conservation (DOC) colleagues, this critically ill honu was able to be flown to our vet hospital to begin emergency care within hours.

It was cold, weak, severely dehydrated, had an inflamed cloaca (bottom), and as our photos show, was missing part of its right front flipper – though this was an old injury that had healed.

More problematic for this precious honu was the discovery that it had had a sharp piece of plastic impacted in its lower intestine. After being carefully warmed up to regain its normal body temperature and rehydrated, it was able to pass this plastic, along with a significant amount of sand.

Sadly, despite incredible efforts and intensive treatments and care over almost two weeks by our skilled and highly experienced vet team, this turtle died on the weekend.

“This little loggerhead – the smallest turtle we’ve treated to date, had come up against a lot in its short life,” says our veterinarian, Dr Adam.

“Debilitated stranded turtles often succumb to secondary infections, and while we won’t have full results from the post-mortem for several weeks, the plastic impaction would likely have contributed to this turtle’s deterioration.”

“Plastic is a huge problem for all marine species. This case is a timely reminder as we head into summer and are out at the beach and in the ocean more, to not let any kinds of plastic get into our marine environment, to safely recycle, and actively see how we can reduce plastic use.”  

Loggerhead turtles are ‘Critically Endangered’ in the South Pacific and hatch on beaches in New Caledonia and eastern Australia before embarking on a developmental migration spanning thousands of kilometres!

During these ‘lost years’ they enter the South Pacific Subtropical Gyre – a large oceanic conveyer system that carries them across the Pacific basin towards South America and eventually back to their natal beaches to breed.

So how did this young loggerhead end up on a Northland beach?

“It likely exited the gyre due to strong currents or weather which pushed it down into the East Auckland Current, flowing down the east of the North Island,” explains DOC’s Marine Senior Science advisor, Dr Karen Middlemass.

Auckland Zoo is proud to be part of ‘Team Turtle’ – a collaboration with DOC, SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s and iwi to rescue sick and/or injured turtles, and where possible, successfully treat, rehabilitate and return these endangered honu to their ocean home.

If you come across a turtle when out naturing at the beach, it is critically ill and needs expert help – so please call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).