<div>Green turtle (<em>Chelonia mydas</em>) is the most common sea turtle species in Taiwan. The coastal waters of Taiwan are known to contain foraging grounds for green turtles. Boat strike has been identified as the most common causes of sea turtle mortality in several sea turtle habitats worldwide. However, no relevant studies have investigated wild green turtles with boat strike injuries in Taiwan. In this field study, we conducted morphometric characteristics of 6 endangered green turtles (<em>C. mydas</em>) with boat strike injuries in Liuchiu Island of Pingtung County, Taiwan. This is the first report of its kind on the prevalence of documented boat strike lesions on stranded wild green turtles at their near shore foraging habitat. In 2019, a total of 14 stranded green turtles were dead when first found in Liuchiu Island of Pingtung County, Taiwan. Of these 14, 6 (42.8%) turtles showing evidence of propeller impacts. Conservation strategies including speed limits in key turtle neritic foraging habitats are required to improve their survival in Taiwan.</div>


<p>Lethal Lesions Caused by Propeller Cuts on the Endangered Green Turtle <em>Chelonia mydas </em>on Liuchiu Island, Taiwan</p>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> Marine debris is an environmental pollution problem affecting the oceans worldwide. Recent studies reveal that marine debris ingestion by sea turtles is rising. Sea turtles brought in for rehabilitation allows an opportunity to provide insights into the possible effects of anthropogenic debris on animal&rsquo;s survivorship during rehabilitation.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Methods:</strong> A green turtle (<em>Chelonia mydas</em>) was bycaught in fishing gear in south-western Taiwan in 2016. Debris were collected in the holding tank during rehabilitation. After a 3-month rehabilitation, the turtle was fit for release. Prior to the release, the turtle was tagged with a satellite transmitter.<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> Marine debris were found in turtle feces or floating on the surface of basins during rehabilitation. The debris were dominated by fishing line, hard plastic, soft plastic, rope, wood and styrofoam. The turtle survived and was successfully released back into the wild attached with a satellite transmitter. The turtle remained residing in waters of southern Taiwan, possibly its foraging ground, for almost two months. This study presents an apparent successful rehabilitation of an endangered green sea turtle, that hopefully helps further enhance environmental education and public awareness, as well as concerted actions against marine pollution in general and anthropogenic debris related problems in particular.&nbsp;</div>


<div>Lesson to Learn from an Endangered Green Turtle (<em>Chelonia mydas</em>): Marine Debris Ingestion, Rehabilitation and Satellite Tracking</div>


<div>Blood characteristics provide a useful tool to evaluate the health status of animals, especially when animals are during the convalescence period. In this study, we observed that the mean lactate level in non-surviving sea turtles was higher than that in surviving ones. Furthermore, non-surviving sea turtles had significantly higher levels of potassium than surviving sea turtles. The data in our report could be helpful in the evaluation of physiological and pathological changes in critically ill juvenile green turtles.</div>


Lethal Lesions Caused by Propeller Cuts on the Endangered Green Turtle Chelonia mydas on Liuchiu Island, Taiwan

Lesson to Learn from an Endangered Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas): Marine Debris Ingestion, Rehabilitation and Satellite Tracking

Blood gases and biochemistry of stranded endangered green turtles (Chelonia Mydas) in Taiwan