Mystery Of Ancient Mariner

Newcastle Herald

Monday September 29, 2008

Matthew Kelly

AN autopsy will be performed this week to determine what killed a turtle found in Lake Macquarie at the weekend.

The mature green turtle, which was found floating in shallow water near Beach Road, Silverwater, on Saturday morning, had no obvious injuries.

"I'd estimate that, given its size and the barnacles growing on it, it could be about 100 years old," Coal Point resident Audrey Diggins, who photographed the turtle, said.

It follows the discovery of another dead turtle in the area last year.

Turtle enthusiast Alison Dunne said the lake's turtle population was under constant threat from plastic bags, fishing hooks and illegal fish traps.

"The odds are really stacked against the turtles in the lake; we really need to find out how it died, especially when there are no oblivious signs like a propeller injury or a shark attack," Ms Dunne said.

The autopsy will probably be conducted at Taronga Zoo.

Matthew Kelly

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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