Turtles at cancer risk (Sateesh Maharaj)

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO EXPRESS (Port of Spain, Trinidad) Turtles at cancer risk (Sateesh Maharaj)
Pollution is a heavy price paid by evolving nations. It is a fatal tax that takes a toll not only on the people of the country in question, but on its flora and fauna as well.
Prof John Cooper, Professor of Veterinary Pathology at the School of Veterinary Medicine, Mt Hope, recently made a startling discovery during an examination of a green sea turtle that was brought into the facility. The findings will hopefully shock the powers that be into immediate action.
He recalled: "The specimen was found in Chaguaramas. It was seen in the water near to one of the boating areas. It looked sick and lived for about ten minutes then died. The people who saw it noted swellings and contacted the wildlife section. It was collected and brought in to us. We looked at it, did tests and have no doubt that it is fibropapillomatosis."
Fibropapillomatosis, or FP, is essentially a skin cancer. Prof Cooper explained that, like skin cancer in humans and animals, this particular one shows itself in the form of big growths. They are on the head, around the eye, on the flippers, sometimes on the shell. They look unsightly but, like any cancer, sap energy. Those around the eyes and nose prevent the turtle from seeing and breathing properly. Those on the flippers hamper the turtle in swimming and makes it more likely to be damaged by boats, or caught in nets.
Prof Cooper said that there have been records of people finding turtles with strange diseases but there is no proof that any were FP because no samples were taken.
So why all the fuss about a 'turtle cancer?'
"I think the all important thing for members of the public, particularly Trinidadians who think a lot about environmental issues, is that we have strong evidence that turtles develop this disease because their immune system is affected because of pollution; not any particular kind. If you look at the distribution of where the disease has been reported, where there is a river coming out, there are factories, effluent... that's where turtles get it. We are arguing that these turtles could be telling us something about the sea and what we are doing to it before it starts to affect other species including, perhaps, human beings."
He said that the disease is widespread and has been found in all species of turtle except the leatherback. "That is interesting because that is the one that most people know and this country is most famous for. Then again, that may mean that no one has seen it. The main species affected by fibropapillomatosis is the green sea turtle. There have been reports from all over the world of the same disease at different times."
Prof Cooper said there is no evidence yet that the disease can be transmitted to humans.
"I put in the word 'yet' because with immuno-suppression in humans we don't know. At the moment there is no evidence that it is dangerous if people eat the meat. People should not be eating turtles in any case because they are protected by law."
He said the cancer was actually due to a virus which can be transmitted from one turtle to another. A turtle as badly affected as the one found off Chaguaramas would have been producing a lot of viruses.
Whilst little could be done to help turtles out in the wild, he said that one could cut down on its spread where turtles are kept in captivity. Every new marine turtle that comes into the country, he added, should be checked for the disease.
"In the wild there is no prevention, but we can remove the tumours by surgery. These animals suffer. The poor things can't see, they can't swim properly and many starve to death. I think we can safely say that there is a welfare reason for finding them at an early stage. They may not survive but we can help them either by surgery or euthanised so they don't suffer out in the ocean."
Prof Cooper said the school was trying to involve its students, particularly from the Caribbean, in wildlife projects. He said the School of Veterinary Medicine should also be recognised as environmental sentinels on the lookout for disease in local wildlife. He urged the public to report any cases of sick animals they find.
"We really are keen that our students are playing a leading part. We would like people to know that we have found this strange disease. We think that it is the first time that it is being reported in Trinidad although we know that over the years fishermen and tourists have said they have seen turtles with strange growths on them but we have no proper records. If anyone sees anything like this or anything related to wildlife we would like to know. We want to keep this small island beautiful. Anything that is telling us that we might be polluting the seas is important."
The School of Veterinary Medicine can be contacted at 645-2640, extensions 4213 and 4382.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_features?id=161314078