Rare tropical sea turtle rescued in waters near Port Alberni
Credit to Author: Stephanie Ip| Date: Thu, 03 Oct 2019 20:22:45 +0000
A rare tropical sea turtle is now recovering from dangerously low body temperature after being rescued in the chilly waters near Port Alberni earlier this week.
The male olive ridley sea turtle was found by passersby in the Vancouver Island community on Sept. 30 and transferred by officials to the Vancouver Aquarium’s Mammal Rescue Centre centre, where it remains in recovery under constant watch. The turtle, now named Berni, is gradually being exposed to warmer temperatures.
“Once he’s stronger and showing signs of responsiveness, staff will place him in a pool set at the same temperature as his body for short periods of time,” said MMRC manager Lindsaye Akhurst.
The male turtle, which weighs 26.9 kilograms, registered a dangerously low body temperature of 11 degrees when it was rescued, compared to the species’ usual temperature of more than 20 degrees.
VANCOUVER, B.C.: OCT. 3, 2019 – The Vancouver Aquarium’s Marine Mammal Rescue Centre team look over Berni, a male olive ridley sea turtle that was found in the waters near Port Alberni, B.C. on Sept. 30, 2019. Berni’s body temperature was 11 degrees, compared to the species’ usual preferred temperature of more than 20 degrees. MMRC manager Lindsaye Akhurst (grey shirt) can be seen stroking the turtle’s shell.
Turtles are cold-blooded and rely on their surroundings to regulate body temperature; when temperatures dip too low, it leaves the turtle hypothermic or “cold-stunned” and struggling to swim or forage.
Berni is also being treated with antibiotics for possible pneumonia, and will have to undergo bloodwork and fluids as he recovers.
“Berni has a long road to recovery but he is responding to treatment,” said Akhurst. “Once he’s stabilized, we will work closely with Canadian and U.S. authorities to get the permits that allow him to be released, in warmer waters.”
Rescuers believe a massive patch of warm water in the Pacific Ocean known as “the blob” may have pulled the turtle away from its usual tropical climate and carried it up to B.C.
It is only the fourth olive ridley sea turtle recorded in B.C. waters. In 2016, the MMRC team rescued, rehabilitated and released Comber the sea turtle.
The Vancouver Aquariums Marine Mammal Rescue Centre rescues, rehabilitates and releases marine mammals where possible.