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An urgent appeal has been launched by the Sea World Foundation to help save sea turtles with admissions of sick and injured sea turtles increasing 250% this year, with 144 individuals already having been admitted.

Sea turtles coming into care are due to a mixture of human impacts such as fishing line entanglement, malnourishment, ingestion or population disease, with currently 19 sea turtles undergoing care and treatment at the Sea World Foundation Marine Hospital.

With new animals arriving each week and with peak rescue season approaching (November to February) the pace is anticipated to accelerate and Sea World Foundation Head Veterinarian, Dr Claire Madden said the urgent appeal has been launched to raise awareness and funds to help save the species to give them a fighting chance this summer.

Madden shared “we are incredibly proud at Sea World Foundation to be in a position to help animals in need, but sadly we have seen an unprecedented increase in turtle admissions this year and are launching this appeal to help assist with the influx in patients.

“This is the first time we have launched an appeal of this magnitude, but we feel with the increased numbers of turtles coming into care it is the right time to raise awareness for the species which are vital to the marine ecosystems.

“This urgent appeal will assist with the day-to-day care and treatment of rescued turtles, and from as little as $25 you can help provide a day’s worth of nourishment for a turtle in care.

“We're excited to share that (for a limited time only), our friends at Royal Caribbean will be matching every tax-deductible dollar which is donated, doubling the impact of every generous gift.

“Throughout the appeal, our team will continue to rescue, rehabilitate and return sick and injured turtles while also continuing to investigate the cause for the increased numbers and what can be done to slow the trend.”

Due to changes in the environment, there has been a marked change in the size of turtles requiring life-saving treatments. Historically, small turtles (av. 30-50kg) made up most patients. This year 100-150kg animals have been the norm, requiring specialised care and equipment.

Sea World Foundation’s facilities are unique in that they have the only deep-water pools and lagoons in Queensland, so they regularly receive animals from other organisations who need to build up their strength before release, adding to the demand.

Six out of seven species of sea turtle are listed as threatened or endangered, with the seventh data deficient. 84% of this year’s patients have been endangered Green Sea Turtles.

The Sea World Foundation Rescue Team are on call 24 hours every day, 365 days a year should a marine animal need rescuing.

For more information and to make a donation go to appeal.seaworldfoundation.com.au/

Images. Credit: Sea World Foundation

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