Australia’s mysterious mass deaths of green sea turtles in 2012-13 linked by study to heavy metals
“We found evidence of heavy metals – particularly cobalt – in sea turtle populations where we also saw signs of illness,” said lead author Mark Flint, program head of Zoo and Wildlife Conservation Medicine and Ecosystem Health in the College of Veterinary Medicine at The Ohio State University.
“Though we can’t be sure what caused this, there were cyclones and major flooding in this part of Australia two years prior to the start of our study, and that could have drawn out sediment rich in heavy metals that had been lying in rivers and streams benign for the past 50 years,” Flint said.
Job Openings with theTurtleRoom
TheTurtleRoom is looking for several individuals passionate about turtle conservation to join our volunteer staff team in a variety of specific roles! Two of these openings relate directly to this World Turtle News blog feature. We also have several other opportunities available for a variety of talents. Please check out this page for more details on each position, the requirements, and responsibilities. We look forward to hearing from you.
Turtle News From Around the World
Conservation
India: olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) nesting on Visakhapatnam coast, meeting great support from locals
USA: Loogerhead Marinelife Center in Juno, FL has plans to expand in the next three years (VIDEO)
Costa Rica: Hugo the olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) rescued from fishing net and soon to be released
Australia: Dorothy the hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbicata) released by Ningaloo Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Centre
Qatar: Fuwairit Beach closed till August for turtle nesting season
Crime & Punishment
India: 21 radiated tortoises (Astrochelys radiata) seized in Yala
Ecology
United Arab Emirates: captain Saleh Ba Abbad is helping clean sea turtles of epibiota (VIDEO)
Health & Medical
USA: Sunny and Azul the brother green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) get checkup at Point Defiance Zoo, CA
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Photo from Ohio State.
