On Saturday, July 26, a juvenile loggerhead turtle, Jeff, arrived at our Rescue Center. She was found near the settlement of Kanegra near Umag by a Slovak citizen, whom we sincerely thank. This individual was found further north than any turtle previously admitted to the Rescue Center. She is currently in critical condition, weighing 2.8 kg, with a shell length of 11.7 cm, and is approximately one year old.

As with all turtles admitted in the past three weeks, her lethargy and heavy coverage of barnacle larvae indicate a prolonged period of impaired swimming and depletion.

The depletion syndrome, along with the soft skin and shells of juvenile turtles, facilitates colonization by barnacle larvae, which then develop into adult forms with hard shells. Some barnacle species live commensally, meaning they do not harm the turtles. They benefit from the turtle’s mobility, which provides protection and transport to new, food-rich areas. Parasitic species, such as Balaenophilus manatorum, feed on the keratin of the turtle’s skin, causing painful lesions and infections.

The dense barnacle coverage may also result from an increased number of larvae in the sea, favored by high temperatures, although this hypothesis still requires further scientific confirmation.

More information about the juvenile turtles at the Rescue Center, including footage, can be found here: link. We thank DNEVNIK.hr for their report!