CLINICAL PROCEDURES AND TREATMENT OF MARINE TURTLES
Maja Lukač1, Elena Zinaić2, Karin Gobić3, Milena Mičić3
1
Department of Poultry Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of
Zagreb
2
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb
3
Marine Educational Centre Pula, Croatia
Marine turtles are the only reptiles inhabiting Adriatic Sea. Due to many threats,
marine turtles are considered one of the most endangered animals on the world. The most
common reasons of their extinction include human impact such as destruction of the nests at
the beaches entangling into the fisherman’s nets and mechanical injures from motor vehicles
like boats. The most common marine turtle inhabiting Croatian part of Adriatic Sea is
loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta).
Marine Turtle Rescue Centre Pula is tone of the most important shelters for sick and
injured marine turtles in Croatia. In addition to the treatment and release of the turtles after
their rehabilitation, the role of the centre is also raising of public awareness in the
conservation of these endangered reptiles. In the Rescue Centre, the animals are situated in
individual pools with heated water (23-24oC) and filtration. The standard procedure with
every new animal includes measuring and weighing of the animals, as well as complete
clinical examination. Clinical examination includes visual examination of the whole body,
including skin, shell and head (eyes, nares, beak), together with the inspection of oral cavity.
If necessary, additional examinations are performed such as x-ray, blood samples and swabs.
The treatment of injured or sick animals includes supportive therapy (fluid replacement and
force feeding), treatment of wounds, systemic antimicrobial therapy, and extraction of the
foreign body, if necessary.
According to the status of the animals and the success of the therapy, most of the
animals are released back to the sea after complete recovery.
In this work handling and restraint of marine turtles together with the clinical
procedures and treatment of sick or injured animals will be presented.