title: EFFECTS OF "SWIM WITH THE TURTLES" TOURIST ATTRACTIONS ON GREEN SEA TURTLE (CHELONIA MYDAS) HEALTH IN BARBADOS, WEST INDIES.
abstract: Along the West Coast of Barbados a unique relationship has developed between endangered green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) and humans. Fishermen began inadvertently provisioning these foraging turtles with fish offal discarded from their boats. Although initially an indirect supplementation, this activity became a popular attraction for visitors. Subsequently, demand for this activity increased, and direct supplementation or provisioning with food began. Food items offered included raw whole fish (typically a mixture of false herring [Harengula clupeola] and pilchard [Harengula humeralis]), filleted fish, and lesser amounts of processed food such as hot dogs, chicken, bread, or various other leftovers. Alterations in behavior and growth rates as a result of the provisioning have been documented in this population. The purpose of this study was to determine how tourism-based human interactions are affecting the overall health of this foraging population and to determine what potential health risks these interactions may create for sea turtles. Juvenile green sea turtles (n=29) were captured from four sites off the coast of Barbados, West Indies, and categorized into a group that received supplemental feeding as part of a tour (n=11) or an unsupplemented group (n=18) that consisted of individuals that were captured at sites that did not provide supplemental feeding. Following capture, a general health assessment of each animal was conducted. This included weight and morphometric measurements, a systematic physical examination, determination of body condition score and body condition index, epibiota assessment and quantification, and clinical pathology including hematologic and biochemical testing and nutritional assessments. The supplemented group was found to have changes to body condition, vitamin, mineral, hematologic, and biochemical values. Based on these results, recommendations were made to decrease negative behaviors and health impacts for turtles as a result of this provisioning.
authors: 1  Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies.|5  St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network, PO Box 2298, St. Kitts, West Indies.
authors: Kimberly
authors: K
authors: Stewart
authors: 2  Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Jekyll Island Authority, Jekyll Island, Georgia 31527, USA.|5  St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network, PO Box 2298, St. Kitts, West Indies.
authors: Terry
authors: T
authors: Norton
authors: 3  Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, UK NW9 5EQ.
authors: Hamish
authors: H
authors: Mohammed
authors: 4  Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, St Michael, Barbados, West Indies.
authors: Darren
authors: D
authors: Browne
authors: 1  Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies.
authors: Kathleen
authors: K
authors: Clements
authors: 1  Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies.
authors: Kirsten
authors: K
authors: Thomas
authors: 1  Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies.
authors: Taylor
authors: T
authors: Yaw
authors: 4  Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, St Michael, Barbados, West Indies.
authors: Julia
authors: J
authors: Horrocks
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification*; D000818:Animals; D001460:Barbados; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000662:veterinary; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D001797:Blood Protein Electrophoresis / Q000662:veterinary; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification; D005399:Fishes; D006304:Health Status; D006802:Human Activities / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D031321:Hydrocharitaceae; D008903:Minerals / Q000097:blood; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000662:veterinary; D014195:Travel / Q000639:trends*; D014426:Turtles / Q000097:blood / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D008903:Minerals; D014815:Vitamins
keywords: Animal welfare; Barbados; Chelonia mydas; biochemistry; green sea turtle; health; hematology