Cluster of green turtles found dumped and decaying in Holloways Beach cane paddock

A Far North Queensland wildlife photographer and conservationist has found a devastating and gruesome scene while on a routine walk. Warning: Disturbing content

A Holloways Beach wildlife photographer was horrified after finding a cluster of four dead green turtles while on a routine walk.

Luke Cooper was walking along a dirt track near Wistaria St in Holloways Beach on Friday when he smelt a foul odour in the air and shortly after found the gruesome scene.

“It was extremely upsetting, they were just left there to decay,” Mr Cooper said.

“I’m a full-time wildlife photographer and my friend told me he’d seen a dingo near this cane field, that’s why we were in the bush there. We found the turtles near the end of a bush track, but you could smell them before you saw them.

Holloway's Beach resident Luke Cooper spotted the turtle carcasses while on a walk. Picture: Luke Cooper

Mr Cooper estimated the turtles were dumped about two weeks before he found them. Picture: Luke Cooper

“I was in complete shock … I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

Mr Cooper said the discovery had been reported to the Department of Environment and Science.

He said the surroundings did not present any obvious explanation as to the circumstances.

“They were green sea turtles, I could tell by the shells. I’ve worked with them before,” he said.

“I’d say they were probably dumped a couple of weeks ago by how bad the smell was and how much they had decayed.

“It’s just shocking, especially after the decapitation of the crocodile at (Cow Bay).

“It’s the last thing you want to see as a conservationist.”

A Department of Environment and Science spokesman said the department was investigating

and confirmed the carcasses are green turtles based on the photographs supplied.

Originally published as Cluster of green turtles found dumped and decaying in Holloways Beach cane paddock