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By Simon Jones
Published May 27, 2015 at 8:00 am (Updated May 27, 2015 at 3:21 pm)

The hawksbill sea turtle at the aquarium (Photo by Akil Simmons)?

Animal welfare experts have praised the kind-hearted actions of members of the public that helped to save the life of a hawksbill turtle that swallowed a hook and fishing line.

Chuck Waldron and his uncle, Keith Richardson, had been fishing off the dock at the Black Horse Tavern in St David’s when the turtle got caught on the line. The pair quickly brought the animal on to the dock on Friday afternoon and immediately called the aquarium for help.

While they waited for the experts to arrive, they tended to the stricken turtle by pouring buckets of water over its shell to keep it cool.

Ian Walker, the principal curator for the aquarium, with the hawksbill sea turtle
(Photo by Akil Simmons)?

Aquarium curator Ian Walker arrived at the dock soon after along with students Alison Palmer and Nikki Cummings, from the Flagler College in St Augustine, Florida, who were on a college exchange. They transported the hawksbill back to the aquarium, where it was sedated and Dr Walker removed the line and hook.

“The hook had gone more than 17cm down the turtle’s throat, so if it had remained there, it could very well have resulted in the animal’s death,” Dr Walker said. “Fortunately we were able to remove the hook without needing to open the turtle up.

“It has made a great recovery and we hope to be able to release it later in the week.”

Tags on the mature adult hawksbill’s flipper show that it originated in Brazil and must have swam to Bermuda on its migration path from South America.

Dr Walker praised the quick-thinking actions of Mr Waldron and Mr Richardson.

Ian Walker, left, Keith Richardson and Chuck Waldron with
the hawksbill sea turtle (Photo by Akil Simmons)?

“These guys took time out of their day and showed genuine concern for this animal,” he said. “They wanted to make sure that the turtle was OK and did the right thing by calling us straight away. This enabled us to get the turtle into the operating room and remove the hook and line. Some people might have just put the turtle back in the water, in which case there could have been some very serious consequences for the animal.

“It’s a timely reminder, especially as more people take to the water this summer, that these animals are around our shores and we need to pay attention to the signs and the speed limits that are there to protect them.”

Mr Waldron told The Royal Gazette: “We all know that turtles are endangered animals in Bermuda and we did not want to just throw him back in. We’re pleased we were able to help and that the turtle is going to be OK. I would encourage anyone in a similar situation to just call the aquarium. It really does not take much to act.”

• If anyone comes across a stricken turtle or other marine animal they can call the aquarium on 293-2727.