Turtle death prompts Auckland Zoo warning about fish hooks

Saturday, 30 November 2019

The large black sea turtle was found in a bad way washed up in Beach Haven.

A large black sea turtle that died after being washed up on an Auckland beach had ingested a fish hook.

The female turtle was found emaciated and unconscious by a member of the public in Beach Haven on Thursday night, Auckland Zoo said.

Auckland Zoo vet Dr Lydia Uddstrom said among other injuries, a fish hook was found embedded in the turtle's throat

Despite efforts from zoo veterinarians, the sick reptile died later in the night.

X-ray images taken while the turtle was still alive revealed a fish hook 'firmly embedded inside her throat'.

Despite efforts from Auckland Zoo veterinarians, the turtle could not be saved.

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Zoo veterinarian Dr Lydia Uddstrom said the fishing line attached to the hook was what usually did the most internal damage, as it could get stuck up in the turtle's stomach or cause the intestines to 'bunch up' and stop functioning.

Fishing lines were also too thin to appear on an x-ray, and could usually only be found with an endoscope, used to look view internal organs, or during a post-mortem examination.

Turtles typically only wash up on New Zealand beaches when they're 'extremely ill', as they usually 'fight and fight' to stay alive.

'This means many sea turtle patients aren't able to make it through the first couple of days due to their injuries,' a zoo spokesperson said.

The zoo hoped the turtle's death would remind Kiwis and tourists to bring their fishing gear back with them once finished at sea to protect endangered wildlife from harm.

Anyone with concerns about a wild animal should avoid approaching it, and phone DOC on 0800 362 468.