Eva the Ninja Turtle, background from Seal Rescue Ireland. Background

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2 Eva the Ninja Turtle, background from Seal Rescue Ireland Background The Turtle was found on December 22nd, 2015 on Kilmore quay beach by Michael Kinnen and Andrew Mc Garry and brought to Seal Rescue Ireland, based in Courtown, Wexford. There she was met by our Manager Meadow Greenwood who took charge of her care. Seal Rescue Ireland staff, interns and volunteers spent the next few days giving Ninja 24 hour care. She is one of several recently stranded turtles in that area, one was brought to another centre but did not survive, and the other was carried back out to sea before help could be raised. As Seal Rescue Ireland did not have the facilities for long-term care, Galway Atlantaquaria was contacted to progress the Turtles welfare and rehabilitation. First rescue

3 Page1 Staff at Seal Rescue doing the good work! 1 It is worth pointing out here, that the staff, volunteers & interns of Seal Rescue Ireland provided the foundation of everything you read below. 1 Eva would thrive given the amount of critical care from the start

4 Page2 Turtle Information The Turtle was in a coma like state, a.k.a. cold shock 2. She was dehydrated and quite emaciated, but still weighs approximately 21.5 kg. Her carapace is 58cm in curved length. She has numerous exterior injuries to her carapace and skin. Her skin will require a lot of treatment. She is missing her front right flipper. However, this is an old injury with already perfect healing. Turtles are frequently found with missing flippers from either infection or injury but can survive perfectly in the wild without a flipper (many turtles will have flippers amputated and be released), so this will certainly not stop her chances of being returned to the wild. The Turtle also had an eye infection. The main aim over the coming weeks will be to continue treatment to restore her to full health and then release her back to the wild as soon as possible. Joanne Casserly Galway Atlantaquaria Our/Galway Atlantaquaria short term priorities are to rehydrate her, get her eating, swimming and control any infections. Cold stunning is common with turtles found in these latitudes, but similar to people with hypothermia rewarming and rehydrating must be done extremely slowly and carefully. Physical exterior examination would 'suggest' it is a female approximately years in age. Again further investigation is required. 2 Often cold stunned animals can appear to have already died, however if a member of the public does come across an animal assume that it may be still alive and contact your local NPWS wildlife ranger, rescue centre or IWDG. 3 Actual age years

5 Page3 The turtle is settling in well and has started to eat and swim unassisted; Dr Rita Gately has offered to assist with Turtle rehabilitation once again and is quite pleased with her progress thus far (Dr Rita Gately assisted the Aquarium when we had Leona the Loggerhead Turtle in 2013). Leona the Loggerhead turtle, the first turtle rehabilitation Here is an illustration of prior experience Galway Atlantaquaria would have with stranded Turtles. 4 4 This battery for the tracker only lasted 12 months and we hope Leona is okay.

6 Page4 Gallery of the First Days Here is a photo gallery of the first critical days of care.

7 Page5 Skin Damage Missing Flipper Damaged Shell Damage here Initial Assessment

8 Page6 Recording the welfare development Galway Atlantaquaria tried to record the progress through photography. However as the turtle needed to be kept warm it was difficult to take photographic records every week. As you can see progress is very slow.

9 Page7 Mullins Pharmacy provided loads of medication. Eva enjoyed a diet of Squid, Herring etc.

10 Page8 Over the next few months Eva was coping well and getting stronger Eva was ready to be released back into the Wild, Galway Atlantaquaria had a number of options available including; The Celtic Explorer who had offered to assist but as the temperature dropped this venture was called off, a sailing boat had also offered help but due to unforeseen matters was not availed of. Eva was ready to go but we had no transport. However, on the 20th of September Galway Atlantaquaria received some great news. The Irish Navy offered to assist in the repatriation of Eva. The LÉ Samuel Beckett left Cobh port on the 23rd. This also meant Galway Atlantaquaria had to put a plan in place to ensure Eva would survive a very difficult journey back to the coast of Portugal. Dr Rita Gately and Veterinary surgeon Lindsey Cox from Ark vets had offered their expertise in preparing and more importantly making the decision to allow Eva to travel. After a lengthy exam and blood testing Eva was considered healthy enough to withstand the rigorous travel ahead. Matthew Hawkins manager of the Aquarium and Ian O Grady prepared a temporary home for Eva and brought her to Cobh Harbour in Cork at 4.30 in the morning. The crew of the ÉL Samuel Beckett were given a crash course in Turtle care and she began her three day journey into the Atlantic.

11 Page9 Here are some images of Eva s recovery; Shell Damage then Shell after nine months!

12 Page10 The Vets gave Eva the all clear for Travel! The famous Turtle Book, which holds immense data on Turtle Welfare! 5 5 The Turtle book holds a vast amount of data collated over two years of rehabilitation. Leona & Eva the Loggerhead Turtles.

13 My favourite pic of Eva Thriving! Page11

14 Page12 Eva got some great exercise in our large Ocean tank! The Turtle box would keep Eva safe on her journey.

15 Page13 Was Eva the Ninja turtle released? Galway Atlantaquaria were notified through Facebook that they had successfully released Eva, you can see the clip here; The amazing navy looked after Eva and released her into the Atlantic on the 23 rd of September. Eva also made an appearance on the news! You can see the full interview here:

16 Page14 We want to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in getting Eva the Ninja back to the wild - her rescuers Michael and Andi, Our manager at the time Meadow Greenwood with all her turtle expertise and the team of interns and volunteers at Seal Rescue Ireland for saving her life with initial care, the fantastic staff at Galway Atlantaquaria for continuing her Rehabilitation treatment and getting her all the way back to full health and looking fabulous, and the Irish Navy and crew of the Samuel Beckett for returning her home!