7-hour operation to save coin-eating sea turtle

BANGKOK, March 7 (TNA) -- The Faculty of Veterinarian Science, Chulalongkorn University has successfully conducted a seven-hour operation to save the life of a sea turtle that for years had swallowed altogether five kilogrammes of coins. The operation to rescue the 25-year-old turtle name “Piggy Bank” took place at the faculty in Bangkok on March 6. It involved five surgeons and anaesthetists. The surgeons made a 10-centimetre-long opening through its abdominal shell and found in its stomach 915 coins as well as a fishing hook. A veterinarian said that turtles usually swallowed coins and other objects if they were kept in ponds and humans were responsible for the suffering. “Piggy Bank” remained exhausted after the operation. It would need a year for rehabilitation with nutrients and vitamins and swimming therapies. The coin weight had affected its swimming capability as it had swum with its bottom being lower than its head for a long time. Besides, the pressure from the coins had eroded its abdominal shell. Veterinarians had yet to check heavy metal in the turtle which suffered anemia. (TNA)