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Knowing how to tackle disease or injury can make the difference between success or failure of conservation initiatives. WVI provides training so rescued animals like sea turtles can be treated and returned to the wild to play their role in survival of their species and protection of ecosystem health
Categories
Beneficiaries
Situation
As a sentinel species, turtles are important indicators of marine ecosystem health. Through their grazing and foraging they impact the growth and distribution of seagrass, which is an important carbon sink. But plastic pollution now seriously affects turtle health; discarded plastics result in loss of flippers and other injuries, while ingestion of microplastics appears to cause damage at a cellular level, resulting in many health issues which increase likelihood of admission to rescue centres.
Solution
We train vets and wildlife professionals working with threatened species like sea turtles, to give them the skills and knowledge they need to save sick and injured individuals. We make sure they know how and when animals can be safely returned to the wild to play their part in the survival of their species and maintenance of a healthy ecosystem. We help conservation organisations develop vital veterinary and husbandry techniques, including anaesthesia, wound and pain management, and nutrition.