The body of green sea turtle found on a Sai Kung beach last weekend is thought to be the first evidence that the endangered species is mistaking trash for food.
Locals noticed the lifeless body at a beach in Pak Lap village on Saturday. It is thought to have been dragged ashore by stray dogs which mauled its stomach.
What the dogs didn’t eat, however, was the range of rubbish, including nylon string and plastic bags, found in the reptile’s digestive system. Experts believe that the trash might have caused an infection and ultimately killed the turtle, reports Ming Pao Daily, as translated by EJI.
The WWF claims this is the first reported case in Hong Kong of green turtles mistaking marine litter as food.
Hong Kong’s Agriculture and Fisheries Department said it will deploy an officer to look into the matter.
Photo: (For illustration) Drew Avery
Reader Interactions