Critically-ill black turtle washes up on Auckland's Takapuna Beach

Wednesday, 27 May 2020

The 26kg black turtle remains in a critical condition.

A black turtle found washed up on an Auckland beach is critically ill.

The turtle was found at Takapuna Beach, on the North Shore, on Wednesday morning.

It was taken to Auckland Zoo's vet hospital by Department of Conservation staff in a 'collapsed' and 'dehydrated' condition with a body temperature well below what it should be. It also had scrapes on its underbody and a wound on top of its shell.

The zoo's head of vet services Dr James Chatterton said the turtle was a long way from home.

Vet Dr Stefan Saverimuttu treats the turtle.

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Auckland Zoo head of vet services Dr James Chatterton, left, says the next three days are critical for the turtle.

“This turtle species is naturally found near Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands, so is a very long way from home, and the next three days are going to be critical for it.

Chatterton said the priority was to get the turtle stabilised, and staff were doing this by slowly warming it up to its normal 24-degree body temperature.

'[We are also] hydrating with fluids, and giving pain relief and other medications, all of which will help rehydrate and re-energise its body and get its vital organs, like liver and kidneys, functioning again”.

X-rays have also been taken of the 26 kilogram turtle to give medical staff a better understanding of what diseases are present.

Chatterton said by the time any turtle species washes up, it is too weak to swim and is critically ill.

“For anyone who does come across a turtle like this, the very best and safest thing you can do is leave it where it is and not try and move it — unless it’s in obvious danger, and phone the Department of Conservation helpline immediately (0800 362 468) to enable it to get the help it needs.'

Department of Conservation Auckland ranger Gabrielle Goodin said the turtle would remain at Auckland Zoo, quarantined, before going to Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium for rehabilitation and release, 'all going well'.

The black turtle is a variant of the green turtle, which lives part of its life around the northern North Island. According to DOC, they are regularly seen around the Rangaunu Harbour and Poor Knights Island.

The species is classified as endangered, with populations on the decline due to overharvesting by people and plastic bag pollution.