No one wants to be a kill joy, especially something that might raise money for needy charities etc, but this one caught my attention. Thought I had to share it with you.
Newquay's Blue Reef Aquarium is backing calls by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust to end the practice of mass balloon releases due to the potential risk they pose to marine life and in particular to turtles.
In recent weeks no fewer than three dead turtles have been reported around the Cornish coastline and although the causes of death in each case remain unclear the Trust says they highlight the dangers to sea creatures of marine litter and especially balloons.
Floating balloon litter is known to be deadly to many marine species including sea birds and turtles. The deflated balloons can either be mistaken for jellyfish and eaten or the attached ribbons and strings can become entangled causing drowning.
Blue Reef's Matt Slater said: "Anything we can do to help improve the survival chances for turtles in our waters has got to be a good thing.
"We certainly don't want to be seen as spoilsports but there are many more environmentally-friendly alternatives to mass balloon releases which are just as much fun and far less damaging to marine life."
Blue Reef Aquarium has successfully rescued, rehabilitated and released three stranded turtles in recent years and has won international praise for its work with these endangered creatures.
In view of the recent turtle casualties the aquarium has also produced a brief checklist of what to do if you come across a sick or injured turtle
WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND A SICK TURTLE
CONTACT
Rod Penrose, Marine Environmental Monitoring 01348 875000 (24 hrs)
LIVE STRANDINGS/ENTANGLEMENTS RSPCA 08705 555999
Blue Reef Aquarium 01637 878134
RECORD THE FOLLOWING DETAILS
. Location, date and time of sighting
. Turtle's behaviour, whether caught in fishing gear etc
. Presence of tags on turtles' flippers. Record any tag details if this can be done without disturbing the turtle
. If possible provide a description of the turtle, identification of species (at least to leatherback/hard-shelled level) and overall straight length. Note any damage e.g. cuts, scars etc
STRANDED ON LAND
Leatherback turtles
Leatherbacks found stranded on beaches are usually very weak but might still be saved.
If uninjured:
. Carefully drag the turtle back to the sea (pull the shell rather than flippers).
. Don't drag over rocks.
. If stranded on rocks, wait for the incoming tide to provide buoyancy.
Other species (hard-shelled)
Loggerhead, Kemp's ridley, green and hawksbill turtles on UK shores are usually cold stunned juveniles and should not be placed back in the sea.
. Wrap in a towel soaked in seawater, don't cover nostrils.
. Place in a secure place on its belly. If inactive, raise the back end of the shell so the turtle is resting at approximately 45° to drain lungs.
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