It seems like turtles are getting a pretty raw deal these days. Our shelled mates are set upon by all kind of nastiness – rising water temperatures, ever-increasing plastic waste afflicting their habitats, and even when they die, some get “surfed” on.
Gretchen (!) the green sea turtle, and Chompa (!!!) the olive ridley turtle, weren’t in great nick when the uni picked ’em up. Gretchen was spotted by a fisherman with an ailment which meant she couldn’t dive for food, and young Chompa was simply too lil’ to traverse the tree roots between his hatching place and the water.
Rachel Groom, a Charles Darwin University specialist focused on threatened ocean critters, emphasised that it’s a stellar idea to bring distressed animals in for professional care. Groom also reiterated how much of a solid idea it is to pick up plastic waste you see at the beach.
And, after watching Gretchen zoom off, we can’t imagine you’ll ever want to see their homes messed up. Godspeed, Gretchen and Chompa – and nice work to all involved.
Source: ABC.
Photo: Charles Darwin University / Facebook.