Further reports of dead turtles

There have been more reports of dead turtles washed up on the beach on Curtis Island.

Contributed

Related links

• More dead turtles
• Mystery surrounds dolphin deaths
• Turtles found dead on beach
• Boyne River turtle deaths rise

RECENT reports that 13 turtles were found dead on Curtis Island remain unconfirmed.

A resident on Curtis Island called The Observer last week, indicating the turtles had washed up on the beach there.

Suggestions have since been made to The Observer that the turtles may not have been dead, and were merely resting.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) said no sign of the turtles had been found.

QPWS Acting General Manager Marine Parks Grahame Byron said QPWS received an unconfirmed report of 10 dead turtles and four sick turtles.

"QPWS investigated the report yesterday (Monday) and again today (Tuesday) on the low tide and have found no evidence of any deceased animals," he said.

"As Curtis Island and nearby Facing Island are natural collection points for deceased marine animals, it is unlikely any dead turtles would have washed away.

"Often turtles will congregate on mudflats to feed, stay on the mudflats as the tide recedes, and swim away when high tide returns.

"During this time they can be relatively motionless, often with their limbs extended and head resting on the mud.

"This can give the appearance that they are deceased. They do this year-round.

"Without directly observing the animals in question, however, it is difficult to say conclusively this was the case in these circumstances."