The Great Barrier Reef is the home to six of the world’s seven species of marine turtles. With less than one in 1000 turtle hatchlings surviving to breeding age, their protection is vital.
Sea turtle survival is not only hindered by pollution such as discarded fishing nets, plastics and injury from boat strike; they are highly susceptible to a tumour causing disease. When left untreated, these tumours can spread to internal organs and can cause a slow and painful death for our turtles.
So what does this have to do with Queensland X-Ray? With the recent World Environment Day, we want to put the spotlight on the special partnership Queensland X-Ray has with the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre .
Queensland X-Ray works alongside the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre to provide diagnostic imaging as the vital first step in treating, and then rehabilitating injured and sick turtles, like green turtle Tommy.
Tommy the turtle was rescued following the sighting of an external growth on his chest. Using Queensland X-Ray’s 3D images using cutting-edge CT technology and clinical expertise, internal lesions and other pathologies were accurately identified which helped to shape the rehabilitation management of Tommy. Ultimately, these images have saved his life. Below are some of Queensland X-Ray's images of Tommy, and a photo with volunteers from Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre and Queensland X-Ray.
For further information on the rehabilitation work of Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, click here and to learn more about the specialised imaging service at Queensland X-Ray, visit the services page via www.qldxray.com.au
