BLOOD VALUES IN FREE-RANGING NESTING LEATHERBACK SEA TURTLES (DERMOCHELYS CORIACEA) ON THE COAST OF THE REPUBLIC OF GABON

• DOI: 10.1638/05-102.1
• Publication Date: 2009-02-05T15:31:31Z
• Authors: Sharon L. Deem; Ellen S. Dierenfeld; Guy Phillipe Soun...; A. Rick Alleman; Carolyn Cray; Robert H. Poppenga; Terry M. Norton; William B. Karesh
• Keywords: Nesting (process); Hematology

Leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) are the most endangered of seven species turtles. The health status leatherbacks is largely unknown, although number nesting females recorded throughout world has decreased precipitously in last few decades. Central African beaches may provide one strongholds for leatherback females. In region, oil extraction and incidental capture pose significant threats to population. Physical examinations, hematology, plasma biochemistry, corticosterone concentration, protein electrophoresis, vitamin concentrations, toxicological parameters were evaluated female Republic Gabon. general clinical condition 35 examined this study was rated as good. blood value results a subset these presented compared published from other To authors' knowledge, first baseline electrophoresis values clinically healthy