A few weeks ago we got a call from a lady who lives in a flat in Ivanhoe saying that she found a turtle trapped in her backyard. When we arrived to collect the turtle there were construction works out the front and they were removing pipe lines. After investigating the backyard it was obvious that the turtle had been placed in the yard as it was impossible for it to get in or out. Perhaps he was found in the drains by the workers and they just picked him up and placed him in the garden? So this is Chelonia he is a Murray River turtle. He is not very happy at the moment because he needs antibiotic injections everyday and a special ointment for his left eye. The left eyelid is torn and he has an abscess under his jaw. On his plastron (underside of the shell) he has a fractured scute and many grazes. These turtles are native to the Murray River basin and are also found in many rivers and dams along the East Coast. They are often kept as pets. Males have a longer and broader tail than females and soft barbel under the chin. With time Chelonia will recover and will be released into the river near Ivanhoe.
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 22:40:40 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015