Tortoises under threat from deadly sea worm
Andrew McGarry; 11/4/08
A new threat is emerging to marine life at the bottom end of the Murray River, with increasing numbers of freshwater tortoises falling victim to sea worms attracted by the saline waters. Tortoise are dying because of casting from the Bristel worm (a salt water worm) attaching it self to the shell, causing the toroise not being able to move or feed. An unknown number of tortoises have died at the Lower Lakes of the Murray and near the mouth of the river in South Australia, while one volunteer group has taken 150 injured tortoises into its care. “We got our first call in mid-March, but we didn’t think much of it,” said Native Animal Network volunteer Deanne Smith. “We had two calls in two weeks, but then it just snowballed.” The tortoises are turning up on river and lake shores or stuck in mud banks, after being paralysed by the predatory bristle worms.
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23520595-5013404,00.html
Tags: Australia, Environment, Trade