Abstract
Sea turtle rehabilitation centres frequently transport sea turtles for long distances to move animals between centres or to release them at beaches, yet there is little information on the possible effects of transportation-related stress ('transport stress') on sea turtles. To assess whether transport stress is a clinically relevant concern for endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii), we obtained pre-transport and post-transport plasma samples from 26 juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtles that were transported for 13 h (n = 15 turtles) or 26 h (n = 11 turtles) by truck for release at beaches. To control for effects of handling, food restriction and time of day, the same turtles were also studied on 'control days' 2 weeks prior to transport, i.e. with two samples taken to mimic pre-transport and post-transport timing, but without transportation. Blood samples were analysed for nine clinical health measures (pH, pCO2, pO2, HCO3, sodium, potassium, ionized calcium, lactate and haematocrit) and four 'stress-associated' parameters (corticosterone, glucose, white blood cell count and heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio). Vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate and cloacal temperature) were also monitored. Corticosterone and glucose showed pronounced elevations due specifically to transportation; for corticosterone, this elevation was significant only for the longer transport duration, whereas glucose increased significantly after both transport durations. However, clinical health measures and vital signs showed minimal or no changes in response to any sampling event (with or without transport), and all turtles appeared to be in good clinical health after both transport durations. Thus, transportation elicits a mild, but detectable, adrenal stress response that is more pronounced during longer durations of transport; nonetheless, Kemp's ridley sea turtles can tolerate ground transportation of up to 26 h in good health. These results are likely to depend on specific transportation and handling protocols.
Highlights
Sea turtle rehabilitation centres must often transport sea turtles over long distances by vehicle or aircraft, e.g. from stranding sites to rehabilitation centres, to other centres for further treatment and rehabilitation or to release rehabilitated animals at beaches
We focused on the following parameters: (i) state of health before vs. after transport; and (ii) evidence of a detectable physiological stress response, as indicated by changes in corticosterone, glucose, white blood cell count (WBC) or H/L ratio before vs. after transport
Clinical health measures and vital signs remained within expected limits for both durations of transport and for all turtles
Summary
Sea turtle rehabilitation centres must often transport sea turtles over long distances by vehicle or aircraft, e.g. from stranding sites to rehabilitation centres, to other centres for further treatment and rehabilitation or (later) to release rehabilitated animals at beaches. Juvenile Kemp’s ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii), a critically endangered species (IUCN, 2010), have been stranding in increasing numbers in the months of October–December on Cape Cod, MA, USA (Allman, 1998; Gerle et al, 2000; Still et al, 2005), and many of these turtles are later transported as far as Georgia or Florida for rehabilitation and/or release into waters with appropriate temperatures. If transportation on the day of release results in excessive physiological stress, the possibility exists that turtles may be released in a state of suboptimal health
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