Conservation Medicine for Vulnerable Turtles and Amphibians (for Technicians)

Veterinary Roles in Sea Turtle Conservation
This lecture will review the current conservation status of sea turtles, important threats, and ways in which veterinarians from different backgrounds and disciplines contribute to species protection and recovery.  Using sea turtles as an example, the material will highlight ways in which students and professionals seeking involvement in wildlife conservation and management may can become productively engaged.

This talk will present commonly encountered abnormalities and parasites of sea turtles, focusing on recognition of gross presentations and diagnosis during postmortem examination (necropsy).  This material will include a variety of conditions and pathogens encountered in free-ranging sea turtles, especially those encountered in sea turtle species found in U.S. waters.

 

The focus of this presentation will be investigation of causes of mortality that can affect large numbers of sea turtles (mass mortality) within short periods.  We will cover common causes, differential diagnoses, typical presentations, diagnostic approaches, and strategies for collecting important information and avoiding missteps.  Case examples from actual events will be used to illustrate important points.

Basic anatomy of sea turtles and approaches to dissection for gross necropsy will be presented.  This review will include the structure and function of organ systems, species differences, unique adaptations of sea turtles, and collection of important data, highlighting the importance of systematic examination and good documentation.