Injuries inflicted by nature

‘This was the first time I’ve seen an animal euthanised’ I told our friend Susana Saavedra on the way back from the Centro de Recuperación de Fauna Silvestre (Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre for Wildlife) in La Laguna. She looked at me. ‘It was tough’ I continued, ‘but there’s one thing I’m glad about, and that is that this is the first turtle I’ve seen with injuries inflicted by nature and not by man.’

This quiet Sunday morning Susana, who was staying on the Morgan for a few days, and I were having a cup of coffee on deck, getting geared up for the day when we saw something floating in the marina. It turned out to be a sub-adult Loggerhead turtle. Even from a distance it was clear that it was extremely ill. It wasn’t moving at all and its head was hanging in the water – not normal for air breathing animals. It seemed to take all its energy to lift its head out of water to breathe. Susana and I looked at each other and sprang into action: she grabbed her swimsuit and I grabbed my camera. She dived into the water and swam out to the turtle, bringing it back to the pontoon where I was waiting to lift it out of the water.

Reeking with infection

When we got it onto the pontoon it was clear that this was a very badly injured animal. It had lost a part of its carapace at the rear. While its back flippers and tail were intact, what I took to be the urinary tract was hanging loose. There was also a lot of dead flesh which was reeking with infection and it was infested with parasites. I looked at the poor animal and feared the worst.

We put the turtle into a large box, grabbed Quirky and our things, packed the car and headed for the motorway. While I drove Susana phoned the Centro de Recuperación to let them know that we were coming with a very sick turtle. The trip from the marina to La Laguna took about an hour. A very windy hour as we had all the car windows open against the smell. Finally we arrived at the centre and with the help of Juan who was on duty that day, unloaded the turtle. The vet, Santiago Mayans, arrived shortly afterwards and examined the turtle.

The turtle had been bitten by a shark. The indentations of the teeth were clearly visible on the underside. While the flippers and the tail were intact, the bite had severed the urinary tract, rectum and part of the intestines. Santiago knew what had to be done, and confirmed our fears. He administered the anaesthesia and it took effect quickly. Within seconds the turtle was in a deep sleep, and shortly after that it had died.

The government body the Centro de Recuperación de Fauna Silvestre rescues and rehabilitates wild animals native to the Canary Islands. The commonest animals it treats are turtles, eagles, owls and hawks. About 100 to 120 turtles are treated every year. The vast majority are victims of human activity: they swallow plastic which blocks their digestive tracts and fish hooks and lines; they get hit by boats; they become entangled in fishing nets, plastic bags and other discarded items.  For readers in Tenerife, sick and injured animals can be brought to the Centro de Recuperación de Fauna Silvestre ‘La Tahonilla’ in La Laguna, or phone 922.250002. * The photos in this box were taken through the viewing slits in the doors to the enclosures. The slits ensure that the animals are disturbed as little as possible.