Massey University is scanning a critically ill green sea turtle that washed up on Otaki beach, a long way from her home in the tropics.
The 70-centimetre-long turtle was found by a member of the public Wednesday, with the animal taken to the university’s Manawatu campus, where she was discovered to be suffering from pneumonia and a fractured shell.
Usually, green sea turtles are to be found in tropical waters, its closest known habitat being Australia’s North Queensland coast, which is why the turtle was seen to be suffering from shock due to being in cold waters, according to wildlife veterinarian Kerri Morgan.
Vets have placed the turtle on an intravenous drip, including taping back her flippers to squeeze her through the CT scanner used for cats and dogs, normally.
Morgan says a lung biopsy will be carried out in a couple of day to find out what kind of pneumonia she is suffering from and how best it should be treated.
Once the turtle recovers, instead of deporting her to Australia which might prove difficult due to bio-security issues, she could be sent to an aquarium for rehabilitation.
Turtles are known to be quite resilient and it is possible, she might be able to swim home.
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