Quicksilver Group News
March 18th, 2009Turtle Rescue in Dixon Inlet
Quicksilver has assisted in the rescue of an adult Hawksbill turtle from the mouth of the Dixon Inlet, Port Douglas last Friday.
The turtle was observed by our vessel Silversonic at 9.00am who called to alert our Marine Biologists to assist a turtle near Sugar Wharf that was in difficulty. Our Reef Biosearch team led by Alex Lowe and Operations Duty Manager, Lucas Agrums lept into a Quicksilver tender where the adult turtle now nicknamed “Sugar” was found to have 2 large propeller gashes through the rear of its shell.
“Sugar” was distressed and after being pulled into the tender was returned to the wharf where the turtle, approx 75 cms in length, was covered in wet towels and kept cool until the Mossman Environmental Protection Agency arrived to transport the turtle to the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre.
Quicksilver’s Reef Biosearch Manager, Russell Hore called EPA on Monday to see how “Sugar” was recovering and reported, “The 2 propeller “chops” in the rear of its shell have been repaired with Araldite and S/S wire, and an injury to the rear flipper has been stitched. However, the turtle is suffering from “Floaters Syndrome”, a condition where there is a build up of gas in the body cavity and gut, which prevents the turtle from diving (which is possibly why it was struck in the first place). This condition can be fatal if not treated, as it will lead to starvation.
The good news, however, is that the turtle ate some squid today (17th March), and they are waiting for all bodily functions to return to normal. It will be treated with antibiotics, and will be convalescing for a while.”
We are hoping that “Sugar” will make a full recovery and we will be able to release the turtle back into the waters off Port Douglas in the near future.
