Washed up turtles nothing to worry about says SeaWorld

TWO green turtles have been found washed up on Gold Coast beaches in the past two weeks sparking fears sometime could be harming them.

Turtle found washed up at Surfers Paradise Beach this week.

TWO green turtles have been found washed up on Gold Coast beaches in the past two weeks sparking fears sometime could be harming them.

A beach walker found one near The Spit last week, while a walker at Surfers Paradise found another this week.

Have you seen any turtles washed up on Gold Coast beaches? Let us know in the comments section below

The two reported their findings to SeaWorld, but marine experts from the park say there is no increase in turtle deaths, but more an increase of them actually washing up on the beach.

SeaWorld’s curator of fish Marni Horton collected the green turtle from Surfers Paradise Beach after reports it may still be alive and found it had been dead for about three days.

Ms Horton said while these two incidents had happened close together on Gold Coast beaches, the rates of injured or deceased turtles had not spiked.

“We usually get around 40-60 turtles taken into care at Sea World each year and some of those are dead on arrival,” she said.

“At this point in time we are on track to make up similar numbers for the year.”

Usual causes of death for turtles taken into care include human impact issues like fishing line ingestion and boat strikes.

While there was no obvious cause of death for the turtle found at Surfers, a post-mortem over the next couple of days is expected to reveal its cause of death.

“All marine turtles are protected, they are a threatened species as well,” she said.

“So it is important to report any issues if an injured turtle is found but it is not a matter for police.”

If anyone finds a deceased turtle on a Gold Coast beach they are urged to call the City’s Parks and Wildlife authority on 1300 366 898, or SeaWorld on 02 5588 2222.