It has been discovered sea turtles, like humans, can suffer from decompression sickness (DCS), also known as the bends.
The research, carried out by a team of international scientists, shows for the first time that DCS occurs in the loggerhead sea turtle. DCS was previously thought to only occur in humans and some whale and dolphin species.
Sea turtles are often caught accidentally in commercial fishing nets and those that appear to be active are usually released. This study suggests that these turtles, while appearing initially active, possibly have DCS and may die following release.
“This is the first time that the bends has been confirmed in a marine reptile,” said Dr Paul Jepson, co-author and marine vet at the Zoological Society of London.
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