A tropical sea turtle that was found hypothermic on a B.C. beach earlier this year has made a remarkable recovery thanks to the efforts of researchers at the Vancouver Aquarium.
The juvenile green sea turtle, rescued from Combers Beach near Tofino on Vancouver Island on Jan. 23., was “cold-stunned” or hypothermic when rescued.
The 35-kilogram turtle, which has now been named “Comber,” had a body temperature of 11.2 degrees Celsius when he was brought in, far below the normal body temperature of about 20 degrees Celsius.
He was treated with fluids and gastrointestinal antibiotics.
The turtle is now in a temporary pool set up behind the scenes at the Vancouver Aquarium’s Marine Mammal Rescue Centre, where he continues to improve.
Green sea turtles are usually found in sub-tropical and tropical waters, but he likely followed a warm current to B.C. where his system began to shut down as the water grew colder.
Aquarium’s head veterinarian, Dr. Martin Haulena, suggested at the time Comber was found that warm currents of El Nino may be why he got stranded in B.C. waters.
Haulena says reptiles are cold-blooded and they completely depend on their external environment to control their body temperature. He says when they get hypothermia, their heart and respiration rates slow down to the point that the animal can’t swim or forage.
Deana Lancaster with the Aquarium says plans are underway to get the proper permits and travel arrangements for Comber from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, so that he can travel across the border.
Lancaster says they hope Comber can be released within the next month.
Green sea turtles are designated as endangered worldwide by the World Conservation Union. They are usually found in the waters of Mexico and Hawaii. They are not listed under Canada’s Species at Risk Act because Canada is outside their normal habitat range.
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