Releasing Donatello!



Donatello!

The first week I started at UnderWater World a rescued Green Sea Turtle was brought in after being found floating into the rocks in Mooloolaba. His body condition was pretty good, but his strength was very weak. Almost all turtles that come have Floating Syndrome. This is often caused by eating too much plastic. It also can be caused by eating something sharp that cuts the intestines causing an infection. This infection releases gas which causes the turtle to float.

When a sea turtle comes we begin treating them immediately:

1.Give them a shallow freshwater bath and allow them to rest and rehydrate.

2.Once we are sure the turtle can lift his head to breathe we fill his tank till he begins to float. We then begin a potassium permanganate bath. This is because potassium is deadly to marine life and kills off any barnacles. (The sea turtles is unharmed since they do not actually ingest large amounts of the water.)

3. Once the turtle begins to feed we give them squid with paraffin oil to act as a laxative to stop any constipation. We also begin giving injections of vitamin b, antibiotics, and a parasiticide.

4. Once feeding and health stabilizes we move the

turtle to deep tank and feed them as much food as they will eat till they begin to sink.

On His Way Back Home

After weeks and weeks of feeding the turtle I named Donatello (like the ninja turtle!) was finally was ready to go back home! We loading him up on the the boat and out to sea we went. We took him out to a reef about 2.5 miles off the coast of Mooloolaba. The boat ride was so relaxing with the ocean rollers and a couple of dolphins. Once we arrive I said my goodbyes and off he went! I couldn't knock the smile off my face for the rest of the day.

The captain of the boat Dave allowed me to take the helm and drive us back into the channel. Which just made my day even more! I miss boating!!!