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Written by: Lao Minyi
2021-04-26 20:02
The last update date: 2021-04-26 20:02
Release activities occur from time to time, but they can lead to tragedies at any time.
The CityU Marine Animal Imaging and Anatomy Research Team processed the carcass of an adult loggerhead sea turtle found in Jiyi Kok, Lantau Island last month. An iron plate with "Release" and the name of the institution was found near the tail of the carapace. The organs are so rotten that it is difficult to determine the cause of death.
The research team urged members of the public not to participate in illegal release activities, worrying about encouraging illegal hunting of wild animals, and random release will also affect the food chain and marine ecology.
At the end of last month, the Fisheries and Conservation Department received a report of a sea turtle found in Jiyi Kok, Lantau Island. The carcass was handed over to the Marine Animal Imaging Anatomy Research Team.
After detailed inspection, it was found to be a female loggerhead turtle.
Due to its large size, the corpse was rotten to pieces. After receiving the corpse, the research team first performed traditional anatomy, and then performed image dissection of its limbs, but could not find any chips for identification.
Difficult to determine the cause of death 4 cases of sea turtle body discovery have been received today
This loggerhead turtle is about 110 cm in length, and the carapace is about 84 cm in length. It is an adult individual.
The research team found incompletely digested fish in its esophagus, and it is estimated that the turtle died suddenly.
Since the turtle’s muscle and fat ratios were normal, but no foreign bodies were found in the intestines, and the carcass and many organs were very rotten, and the carapace and scutum began to fall off, the research team was unable to determine the cause of death.
This year the research team has received 4 cases of sea turtle carcasses.
An iron plate with "Release" and the name of the organization was found near the tail of the carapace of the loggerhead sea turtle.
(Provided by the Marine Animal Imaging Anatomy Research Group)
Loggerhead loggerhead is the second large turtle species
According to the research team, loggerhead turtles are the second large turtle species after leatherback turtles. They can be more than 200 cm long and weigh more than 500 kg. They have also been found in Hong Kong in the past.
Studies have pointed out that the carapace arc of adult loggerhead turtles is about 80 cm long, and it takes about 24 to 30 years to grow to that extent.
After adulthood, female loggerhead turtles will only come ashore to breed every 2 to 3 years.
During the breeding season, Loggerhead loggerhead will go to the beach to lay eggs every 2 weeks. A total of 2 to 5 eggs will be laid, with an average of 100 sea turtle eggs per litter.
The dead green sea turtle dissected the remains and found that there were more than 40 pieces of wrapping paper and other marine debris in the digestive system
Two green turtle carcasses were filled with plastic trash and their esophagus was blocked by rubber gloves. Groups urged not to litter
Fisheries and Conservation Department intends to expand the Shum Wan restricted area on Lamma Island to reduce interference with green turtle breeding feed to be implemented next year
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