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Green sea turtles trapped in ponds and nearshore
waters superheated by lava have been dying and governmental agencies have not done enough to help them, according to a Puna resident. State officials say they have searched for the turtles but have not found any in
danger.
Puna resident
Travis Sanders shot video in June of a turtle — one of several there at the time — trying to escape the near-boiling water of Champagne Ponds in
Kapoho Bay with lava in the background. It has been viewed about 1,000 times, and he informed authorities at a June 9 meeting of the turtles’ plight. They took notes and assured the public they would address all the issues, he said.
Sanders said he had tried to save the turtle.
“I tried to pull him out, but his legs fell apart,” Sanders said. “He was boiled alive.”
On Tuesday the Department of Land and Natural Resources issued a statement saying it was aware of the postings but there has been little actionable information.
On Wednesday it sent representatives in a Coast Guard C-130 plane over the area but no turtles were visible to the naked eye. It had also done a flyover July 17 along with a short land check near Pohoiki boat ramp, and the Hawaii County Fire Department sent a helicopter after the first reports, but did not see any turtles in trouble, state officials said.
DLNR said it believes most turtles had acess to the open ocean via channels or open fish pond gates and were able to swim away and save themselves.
Reports of stranded animals must come within a few hours of the incident,
include photos and provide information about a safe,
accessible location for
responders, DLNR said.
NOAA’s marine animal stranding and hotline is
888-256-9840; DLNR’s hotline at 643-3567.
