CapeCodToday: Leatherback sea turtle victim of three human-related hazards Necropsy reveals three hazards contributed to 400-pound sea turtle's death

Leatherback sea turtle victim of three human-related hazards

Necropsy reveals three hazards contributed to 400-pound sea turtle's death

ARTICLE | NEWS | NOVEMBER 14, 2015 07:00 AM | BY CAPECODTODAY STAFF

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A dead, 400 pound, juvenile leatherback sea turtle awaits autopsy at the New England Aquarium’s sea turtle hospital. New England Aquarium photo.

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A necropsy performed on a marine animal often reveals the cause of the animal's death. This week, New England Aquarium marine biologists performed a necropsy on a 400-pound leatherback sea turtle and discovered three hazards that contributed to its death. According to a New England Aquarium release, the leatherback was first spotted by the crew of a University of Rhode Island research vessel last week on Cape Cod Bay. 

On Sunday, its bloated body washed ashore at Sandy Neck Beach in Barnstable, the release said. Its body was retrieved and transported to the aquarium's sea turtle hospital in Quincy.

Monday morning Dr. Charles Innes, the aquarium's head veterinarian, and a team of biologists began the necropsy. They first discovered telltale signs of entanglement--heavy abrasions and and lacerations on the sea turtle's front flippers. Entanglements, typically caused by vertical ropes from fixed fishing gear or lobster pots, often lead to drowning. 

Additionally, researchers noted a major deformity on the young male turtle's shell. X-rays revealed extensive fractures to the shell and vertebrae. Dr. Innis believes the turtle was likely struck by a boat in the early summer and managed to not only survive, but thrive, according to the release. 

Finally, while examining the organs for evidence of disease, Dr. innis and his team found three pieces of plastic in the sea turtle's stomach, a 3' x 1' piece of plastic sheeting, a sandwich baggie and a candy wrapper. Although the turtle might have eventually passed the two smaller items, it is likely the sheeting would have remained in its system. As trash on the open water, plastics of this type can resemble undulating sea jellies, a favorite food of leatherback sea turtles.

In the end, the entanglement was determined to be the cause of death. 

The team that performed the necropsy on the sea turtle had never seen signs of all three human-related hazards in one sea turtle. 

Earlier this month, New England Aquarium biologist performed a necropsy on an 813-pound leatherback that had been found floating a mile south of Woods Hole. It was determined that that sea turtle had also died of injuries caused by an entanglement. 

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Entanglement likely contributed to leatherback turtle's death

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CapeCodToday Staff

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