Green sea turtle rescued from Tofino beach is recovering
Quick reporting was vital to the tropical turtle’s survivalThe Green sea turtle being found washed up and hypothermic on Combers Beach in January continues to recover at the Vancouver Aquarium. The distressed turtle was discovered by Ucluelet local Liisa Nielsen while walking her dog Pearl along the beach. Nielsen reported her discovery to Parks Canada staff who arranged transport for the non-native turtle to Nanaimo and to a team from the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre, which brought it back to the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre for treatment.
At time of discovery, the reptile was near death, was showing only slight, intermittent movement in its head and flippers. But thanks to Nielsen’s quick actions, aquarium staff have been able to care for the reptile, slowly bringing it back to health.
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“Reptiles are cold-blooded and they completely depend on their external environment to control their body temperature,” Dr. Martin Haulena, head veterinarian at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, said in a release. “When they get into water that’s too cold they get hypothermia, also known as cold-stunning. Everything slows down: heart, respiration rates, they can’t swim, they can’t forage — they get weaker and weaker.”
According to the aquarium, green sea turtles are a tropical species found in warmer waters around Mexico and Hawaii, but occasionally follow a warm current northward and end up in B.C. or even Alaska waters.
“It’s something we see more often during years with above-average sea temperatures, such as during an El Nino period,” said Haulena.
The turtle was admitted with a body temperature of 11.2 degrees Celsius. Along with receiving antibiotics and treatment for wounds, the turtle is slowly being warmed just a couple of degrees per day until it reaches a normal temperature of about 20 degrees Celsius.
Quick Reporting Essential to Survival
Speaking to Andrew Bailey, reporter with Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, Pacific Rim National Park’s resource management officer Jennifer Yakismishyn said Nielsen’s quick reporting was vital to the turtle’s survival.
“Because the turtle was reported so quickly to Parks Canada staff, we were able to get to the animal right away, assess the situation, and coordinate with our partners to get the animal the specialised care it needed,” Yakismishyn said. “We are thrilled that the turtle continues to recover, and pleased to be part of that success.”
Yakismishyn hopes the sea turtle’s experience serves as a valuable reminder to locals and visitors to always report their sightings within the Park to 250-726-3604.
“Immediate action can sometimes make a big difference in the survival of injured wildlife, and particularly rare species,” she said. “We would also like to remind people that it’s important not to touch the animal and give it some space as human contact can add to the animal’s stress and have a negative impact on the animal’s health.”
