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Turtles ingest plastic floating in our seas. This stops them digesting food properly and leads to health complications and even death. WVI provides veterinary expertise to treat turtles and clear the plastic from their guts. Our aim is to save more turtles and improve their chances of survival.
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Beneficiaries
Situation
WVI helps save the lives of turtles bought into rehabilitation centres. They are brought in with injuries from being entangled in fishing nets or hit with blunt instruments. But they also have hidden injuries. We have found that all of them have plastic in their guts. Turtles ingest plastic that is floating in our seas - including fishing lines, hooks, plastic bags, nets and microplastics. The plastic causes blockages leading to growth and health complications. Long term effects are unknown.
Solution
WVI funds turtle experts to work in partnership with rehabilitation centre staff to improve the first aid, long-term care and welfare of turtles. Through this collaboration, staff are able to better treat injured turtles, improve their diet and nutrition and clear the plastic from their guts. These measures help improve the fitness levels so when released, turtles have an increased chance of survival. ARCHELON, MCSS and CRAM are centres of excellence and provide training to veterinary students.
