Captain Hook lives on
Turtle found with large hook in neck recovering
A LARGE long neck turtle who was discovered with a big fishing hook in its neck is making a strong recovery after surgery.
Greencross Vet South Toowoomba’s Dr Amanda Phillips said the turtle, which the clinic had named Captain Hook, was brought to the surgery in an unusual way.
“We were having an usually quiet day on Wednesday. It was probably around 3.30pm when a
❝ Now he’s doing better than we could hope for. — Amanda Phillips
concerned citizen came in asking for help as she found this little guy on the road,” Dr Phillips said.
“She had put him on the front seat, but he dismounted the seat and got stuck under it.
“I first met him out in the car park trying to get him out from under the seat.”
Dr Phillips said when they were checking the 20-year-old turtle over they discovered a large fishing hook and twine stuck in its neck. They had to perform extensive surgery.
“It’s always very nerve wracking performing surgery on animals like this as they don’t have the breathing or heart rate like the animals we’re used to,” she said.
“We were holding our breath for a good outcome.
“Now he’s doing better than we could hope for.”
Dr Phillips said people had to be careful around waterways.
“Whenever there are signs not to feed the wildlife, or to fish, it’s for the animals’ well being,” she said.