Turtle Necropsy

By HENA Home Education Network Abu Dhabi

Posted on October 17th, 2018.

As HENA’s Global Citizens patrolled Saadiyat Beach for turtle nests, they came upon a dead turtle that had washed up on the beach. Marine Biologist Arabella Willing asked them to assist her in an on-the-spot necropsy so they could find out if the turtle died naturally. After inspecting each part of the turtle’s innards, the kids determined that it was a young male adult and that he had died from being hit by a propeller. They did not find visible plastic in any part of its digestive system, which was good news. The kids learned heaps about the health of the waters around Saadiyat Beach and what dangers they contain for this vulnerable animal.