Treating patients @Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital

Jim the flatback sea turtle released back into the ocean after receiving treatment for microplastic ingestion.

Jim the flatback sea turtle was brought to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital for treatment after he had washed up on the shoreline. A further examination from our expert team of vets found the cause of Jim’s unusual behaviour to be microplastic ingestion, this left him very weak and malnourished. Turtles of his age frequently mistake microplastics for food.

The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital is equipped with a dedicated sea turtle rehabilitation centre, inclusive of ICU pools, a large rehabilitation pool and equipment to transport the turtles between these areas when needed. This facility with the inclusion of support feeding allowed little Jim to quickly regain his strength where he was then cleared for release into a more suitable part of the ocean.

Plastic ingestion can lead to serious problems for sea turtles, it can ignite a condition called ‘floating syndrome’. Floating syndrome in sea turtles is one of the main reasons for being admitted to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. A build up of gas will occur in their intestines due to blockages from the plastic which will make it almost impossible for them to dive beneath the water surface to escape predators, search for food or escape boat strikes.

Fact: Australia is home to six of the seven species of marine turtle species, this includes; green, hawksbill, flatback, leatherback, loggerhead and olive ridley sea turtle.

Shanoe the koala on the road to recovery after being attacked by two dogs and suffering from a pulmonary haemorrhage.

Shanoe the koala was attacked by two dogs before he was rescued and rushed to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. Shanoe’s condition was deemed critical upon entry and he was immediately placed under anaesthetic to assess and treat his injuries. An endoscopic examination confirmed that Shanoe was suffering from a pulmonary haemorrhage and multiple punctures as a result of the attack.

After Dr Rosie was able to stabilise Shanoe’s bleeding he was admitted to the ICU to receive specialised around the clock care and treatment for his chest trauma and puncture wounds. Shanoe spent 4 weeks in the ICU and has recently progressed to our specialised koala rehabilitation ward where he will focus on regaining his strength and adjusting to solidarity as a wild koala. Soon Shanoe will be released back into the wild where he will relish at being given a second chance.

From September to March the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital faces its busiest time of the year which we often refer to as Trauma Season – with the weather heating up we see more wildlife on the move and coming face to face with life-threatening situations much like Shanoe’s.

Fact: The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital is one of the busiest wildlife hospitals in the world. Since opening in 2004 we have treated over 100,000 patients and counting.