Tourists warned of turtle 'danger'

A green sea turtle. Picture: Brocken Inaglory/Wikipedia

THEY may look cute, but tourists have been warned to avoid touching captive sea turtles or risk developing serious health problems.

While there's little risk to people who come into contact with turtles in the sea, it's a different story when it comes to holiday attractions such as aquariums where they are handled in confined pools, according to research published in the RSM Short Reports.

The researchers used water sampling and laboratory microbial analysis to determine the health risks, finding that turtles in captivity carry the risk of exposure to toxic contaminants and zoonotic pathogens – which able to move from animals to humans - such as bacteria, viruses and parasites.

Symptoms may take some time to emerge but can resemble the flu or gastrointestinal illnesses, however more serious cases of pneumonia, meningitis, septicaemia and acute renal failure can occur.

The review was based on a four-year case study of the Cayman Turtle Farm in Grand Cayman, Caribbean, which attracted an estimated 1.2 million visitors.

Most of the turtles at the farm are green sea turtles.

Clifford Warwick, lead author of the report, said the conditions the turtles are kept in plays a key role in the increased risk factors.

"Significantly, the captive farming of turtles arguably increases the threat to health, in particular from bacteria, due to the practice of housing many turtles in a relatively confined space and under intensive conditions," he said.

Warwick said the findings highlight the need for further investigation and awareness.

"The subsequent distribution of visitors exposed to turtle farm conditions may also involve opportunities for further dissemination of contaminants into established tourist hubs including cruise ship and airline carriers."

"To prevent and control the spreading of sea turtle-related disease, greater awareness is needed among health-care professionals regarding potential pathogens and toxic contaminants from sea turtles, as well as key signs and symptoms of typical illnesses."

There's also a risk for those eating turtle products.

The study was funded by the World Society for the Protection of Animals.

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