Sea Turtle Herpes Virus a Concerning Issue
Those terrible looking growths on the sea turtle’s body are actually tumors known as fibropapillomatosis. They are caused by a herpes virus that only affects turtles, and scientists are searching for answers on the cause of this dehabilitating disease. The tumors which affect the turtles cause them to be more susceptible to pathogens which further increase the fatality rate among victims. Scientists believe that contamination may well be one the greatest culprits of the virus, and interestingly, a large number of outbreaks are reported at Cockle Bay at Magnetic Island, which is heavily frequented by tourists. The virus has also been reported in captive sea turtles, although it remains dormant until a trigger causes it to take over. Contamination is said to weaken the immune system, which may cause them to contract the virus more easily. Whatever the cause, scientists are working hard to determine the pollutant by taking and analyzing water samples and studying previous data to halt the spread of this virus which has taken the lives of so many turtles.
Turtle News From Around the World
Conservation
New state regulations on turtle harvesting
Great Barrier Reef turtles in trouble
Asian turtle now considered threatened
Turtle surveys using the help of drones
Crime & Punishment
Man caught poaching 100 turtle eggs
Ecology
Fireworks show does not harm local nests
Health & Medical
Turtle saved by surgery
Miscellany
Albino turtle rescued from village locals
Did You Know…
Maryland named the diamondback terrapin its official state reptile in 1994. The University of Maryland, College Park has used the species as its nickname (the Maryland Terrapins) and mascot (Testudo) since 1933, and the school newspaper has been named The Diamondback since 1921. The Terrapin turtle has also been a symbol of the Grateful Dead because of their song “Terrapin Station”. Many images of the Terrapin dancing with a tambourine appear on posters, T-shirts and other places in Grateful Dead memorabilia.
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Photo from Karina Jones.
