Great Barrier Reef case study
Where do the Great Barrier Reef’s sick and injured turtles go for help? To a purpose built turtle hospital, part of Reef HQ Aquarium and an initiative supported by the Australian and Queensland governments.
`Reef HQ Aquarium has a long and proud history of helping marine life over its 27 years,’ Fred Nucifora, director of Reef HQ Aquarium, said.
Located in Townsville, North Queensland, Reef HQ Great Barrier Reef Aquarium is the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium and the Australian Government’s national education centre for the Great Barrier Reef.
Turtle being examined
(Photo: Reef HQ Aquarium)
`In 2009 we opened our dedicated turtle hospital and since then have treated 165 turtles,’ Fred said.
`Anyone finding an injured or distressed turtle can call 1300 ANIMAL, a hotline run by the RSPCA. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Officers and voluntary community groups respond to the call, going out in the field to assess the turtle’s condition. The animal is then transported to the hospital in Townsville, where it is treated in a secure and sterile space.’
The most common ailment staff at the hospital see is ‘floating syndrome’ where a turtle is buoyant at the water’s surface, unable to dive. It is a serious condition as the animal can’t access food at the lower depths and can starve to death.
`Floating syndrome is caused by a build up of gas in the turtle’s body, which can happen after it has ingested marine debris that blocks its gastrointestinal tract and prevents food being properly digested,’ Fred said. `The body’s unreleased gas keeps the animal afloat which not only stops it diving for food, but also makes it more vulnerable to predators like sharks or boat traffic in the area.’
Treatment for the condition typically involves a process of rehydration for the turtle, activating the GI tract once the animal has passed its faeces and then renourishing it back to health.
`We have a high success rate with the turtles brought to us; last year we released seven turtles back into the wild,” Fred said. `Around 30 to 40 per cent admitted to the hospital recover and can be rereleased into the natural environment, which becomes an event for the whole community to be part of. Every turtle leaves with a flipper tag and larger animals can have a satellite tag fitted so we can track their progress. To date we haven’t had any readmissions for turtles we’ve treated.’
Some turtles are too badly affected and don’t recover. However they are helping scientists discover more about the causes and treatment of ill health.
`Reef HQ Aquarium works closely with James Cook University and their School of Biomedical and Veterinary Science,’ Fred said. `They conduct a necropsy to study the dead animal. We already know a great deal about turtle biology and turtle ecology, and now with the results of these studies we are learning so much more about ailments affecting our turtles.’
These results are extremely important to maintaining the health of turtles on the Great Barrier Reef. Turtles can live upwards of 120 years, and don’t mature for breeding purposes until they are around 40 years old.
All ages are treated at the hospital, from hatchlings through to ‘teenage’ turtles of 15 to 25 years old and mature adults. Many are treated for problems linked to severe weather conditions. `A few months after an event like a cyclone we begin to see turtles becoming stranded,’ Fred said. `Seagrass meadows can be smothered by sediment released from flooding coastal rivers and that can greatly impact turtle health.’
The purpose built facility is staffed by experts who follow a careful handling system. Any visits are strictly controlled and visitors are not allowed to dip their hands into the water.
Despite the necessary restrictions, the hospital is popular with visitors to Reef HQ Aquarium. Tours for visitors are conducted twice a day and educate visitors about the health of the Great Barrier Reef’s marine life and what to do if they find a sick or injured turtles on the reef.
Reef HQ Aquarium houses the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium in a tank the size of an Olympic swimming pool and provides world class living exhibits to raise awareness that will help protect the Great Barrier Reef. It is open 364 days a year to visitors from around the world.
Further information
For more information about Reef HQ Aquarium go to www.reefhq.com.au