Ingestion of a Massive Amount of Debris by a Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) in Southern Brazil

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Marine Turtle Newsletter 135:6-8, © 2012

Case Report: Ingestion of a Massive Amount of Debris by a Green Turtle 
(Chelonia mydas) in Southern Brazil

On 18 July, 2010 a juvenile green turtle (Chelonia mydas) was rescued by 
Projeto Tamar (Brazilian sea turtle conservation program) after 
stranding at Mole Beach, in Florianópolis municipal district, Santa 
Catarina State, Brazil (Fig. 1). On admission, the animal was measured 
(39 cm curved carapace length, 38 cm curved carapace width), weighed (6 
kg), and received a thorough physical examination. The turtle was weak, 
in poor body condition, malnourished and emaciated. Clinical signs 
included dehydration, prostration and areflexia. Death occurred a few 
hours after initial supportive care. In order to determine the cause of 
death, a necropsy was performed on the individual. During the procedure, 
the turtle had its sex determined as a male by visual examination of the 
gonads. All coelomic organs were examined and no apparent gross 
pathology was noted. However, a massive amount of debris was found in 
its digestive tract and was apparently blocking food passage. The 
gastric and intestinal mucosa showed the presence of several ulcers, 
probably caused by the presence of debris, which could have possibly led 
to excess gastric acid production. The gut content was then separated 
according to its location: esophagus, stomach, small and large 
intestines. Contents were carefully rinsed in a sieve with a 1 mm mesh 
and marine debris was separated and dried at 50°C.

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