Eva ‘the Ninja’ Turtle, background from Seal Rescue Ireland
Background
The Turtle was found on December 22nd, 2015 on Kilmore quay beach by
Michael Kinnen and Andrew Mc Garry and brought to Seal Rescue Ireland,
based in Courtown, Wexford. There she was met by our Manager Meadow
Greenwood who took charge of her care. Seal Rescue Ireland staff,
interns and volunteers spent the next few days giving ‘Ninja’ 24 hour
care. She is one of several recently stranded turtles in that area, one was
brought to another centre but did not survive, and the other was carried
back out to sea before help could be raised. As Seal Rescue Ireland did
not have the facilities for long-term care, Galway Atlantaquaria was
contacted to progress the Turtles welfare and rehabilitation.
First rescue
Staff at Seal Rescue doing the good work!1
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Eva would thrive given the amount of critical care from the start
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Rescue Ireland provided the foundation of everything you read below.
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It is worth pointing out here, that the staff, volunteers & interns of Seal
Turtle Information
The Turtle was in a coma like state, a.k.a. cold shock2. She was
dehydrated and quite emaciated, but still weighs approximately 21.5 kg.
Her carapace is 58cm in curved length. She has numerous exterior
injuries to her carapace and skin. Her skin will require a lot of treatment.
She is missing her front right flipper. However, this is an old injury with
already perfect healing. Turtles are frequently found with missing flippers
from either infection or injury but can survive perfectly in the wild without
a flipper (many turtles will have flippers amputated and be released), so
this will certainly not stop her chances of being returned to the wild. The
Turtle also had an eye infection.
The main aim over the coming weeks will be to continue treatment
to restore her to full health and then release her back to the wild as
soon as possible. Joanne Casserly Galway Atlantaquaria
Our/Galway Atlantaquaria short term priorities are to rehydrate her, get
her eating, swimming and control any infections. Cold stunning is
common with turtles found in these latitudes, but similar to people with
hypothermia rewarming and rehydrating must be done extremely slowly
and carefully. Physical exterior examination would 'suggest' it is a female
approximately 5-83 years in age. Again further investigation is required.
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Often cold stunned animals can appear to have already died, however if a member of
the public does come across an animal assume that it may be still alive and contact your
local NPWS wildlife ranger, rescue centre or IWDG.
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Actual age 10-15 years
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The turtle is settling in well and has started to eat and swim unassisted;
Dr Rita Gately has offered to assist with Turtle rehabilitation once again
and is quite pleased with her progress thus far (Dr Rita Gately assisted
the Aquarium when we had Leona the Loggerhead Turtle in 2013).
Leona the Loggerhead turtle, the first turtle rehabilitation
Here is an illustration of prior experience Galway Atlantaquaria would
have with ‘stranded’ Turtles.
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This battery for the tracker only lasted 12 months and we hope Leona is okay.
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Gallery of the First Days
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Here is a photo gallery of the first ‘critical’ days of care.
Skin Damage
Missing Flipper
Damaged Shell
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Initial Assessment
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Damage here
Recording the welfare development
Galway Atlantaquaria tried to record the progress through photography.
However as the turtle needed to be kept warm it was difficult to take
photographic records every week.
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As you can see progress is very slow.
Mullins Pharmacy provided loads of medication.
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Eva enjoyed a diet of Squid, Herring etc.
Over the next few months Eva was coping well and getting
stronger
Eva was ready to be released back into the Wild, Galway Atlantaquaria
had a number of options available including; The Celtic Explorer who had
offered to assist but as the temperature dropped this venture was called
off, a sailing boat had also offered help but due to unforeseen matters
was not availed of. Eva was ready to go but we had no transport.
However, on the 20th of September Galway Atlantaquaria received some
great news. The Irish Navy offered to assist in the repatriation of Eva. The
LÉ Samuel Beckett left Cobh port on the 23rd. This also meant Galway
Atlantaquaria had to put a plan in place to ensure Eva would survive a
very difficult journey back to the coast of Portugal.
Dr Rita Gately and Veterinary surgeon Lindsey Cox from Ark vets had
offered their expertise in preparing and more importantly making the
decision to allow Eva to travel. After a lengthy exam and blood testing
Eva was considered healthy enough to withstand the rigorous travel
ahead. Matthew Hawkins manager of the Aquarium and Ian O’Grady
prepared a temporary home for Eva and brought her to Cobh Harbour in
Cork at 4.30 in the morning. The crew of the ÉL Samuel Beckett were
given a crash course in Turtle care and she began her three day journey
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into the Atlantic.
Here are some images of Eva’s recovery;
Shell after nine months!
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Shell Damage then
The Vets gave Eva the all clear for Travel!
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The Turtle book holds a vast amount of data collated over two years of rehabilitation.
Leona & Eva the Loggerhead Turtles.
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The famous Turtle Book, which holds immense data on Turtle Welfare!5
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My favourite pic of Eva Thriving!
Eva got some great exercise in our large Ocean tank!
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The Turtle box would keep Eva safe on her journey.
Was Eva ‘the Ninja’ turtle released?
Galway Atlantaquaria were notified through Facebook that they had
successfully released Eva, you can see the clip here;
https://www.facebook.com/irishnavalservice/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf
The amazing navy looked after Eva and released her into the Atlantic on
the 23rd of September.
Eva also made an appearance on the news!
You can see the full interview here:
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http://www.rte.ie/news/2016/0923/818714-galway-turtle/
We want to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in getting Eva ‘the
Ninja’ back to the wild - her rescuers Michael and Andi, Our manager at
the time Meadow Greenwood with all her turtle expertise and the team of
interns and volunteers at Seal Rescue Ireland for saving her life with
initial care, the fantastic staff at Galway Atlantaquaria for continuing her
Rehabilitation treatment and getting her all the way back to full health
and looking fabulous, and the Irish Navy and crew of the Samuel Beckett
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for returning her home!