As per the research report of the UF expert more than half the turtles — 21 of 40 — examined by Dr. Brian Stacy had sediment in their lungs, indicating they probably drowned in trawl nets near the sea floor. Stacy, a clinical assistant professor of veterinary medicine at UF, has been conducting the examinations in Gainesville following three weeks spent rescuing turtles affected by the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
He told that there’s a lot of oil there and it’s not a pleasant sight and the group was able to rescue over 60 oiled turtles, finding two dead. Turtles were covered in oil to varying degrees, he said, with some having ingested oil. All five turtle species in the Gulf of Mexico are threatened or endangered. Most of the sea turtles found dead since April 30, when collections began, have been Kemp’s Ridley turtles, the smallest and most endangered species.
According to Stacy 40 turtles he’s examined still must be tested for toxins, such as those produced by algae blooms. While he said turtles have been killed from algae blooms such as Red Tide, several factors suggest another cause in these cases. He informed that turtles show varying degrees of exposure and some are found sick but alive. The other possible cause of death is forced submersion, he said. While he said that suggested interaction with fisheries, he cautioned that no marks were found showing that the turtles were caught in nets.
