Report: Surgeons Removed 915 Swallowed Coins From 25-Year-Old Sea Turtle 'Bank'
Many Thais believe throwing coins on turtles will bring longevity and prosperity. The similar belief brought misery to a sea turtle in Thailand from whom doctors have removed 915 coins.
According to FOX NEWS, the surgeons operated on the 25-year-old female green sea turtle which had been inadvertently fed a diet of coins by luck-seeking tourists. The doctors have made a 4-inch incision in Bank and removed 11 pounds of coins that had cracked the part of its shell, causing a life-threatening infection.
The veterinarians in Bangkok have operated female green sea turtle nicknamed "Bank". Bank indigestible diet was a result of many tourists seeking good fortune into her pools over many years.
The National World has reported, a green turtle has a lifespan of around 80 years. But it is listed as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Five veteran surgeons from Chulalongkorn University faculty have patiently removed the coins after four hours of effort while "Bank" was under general anesthesia. The stash was too big to take out through the incision they had made, so it had to be removed few coins at a time. As a result, many of them had corroded or partially dissolved.
One of the doctors from the surgical team has reported the result of the operations is satisfactory. While recovering in Chulalongkorn University's animal hospital, the turtle will be on the liquid diet for the next two weeks.
The local news report stated that Bank was brought into veterinarians by then after found her ailing in her seaside hometown. After a detailed 3D scan that veterinarians pinpointed the weighty and unexpected problem. Besides this, the doctor removed 2 fish hooks that were found at the 3D scan.
However, Thai media began publicizing the turtle's tale last month after she was found. In response, some 15,000 baht ($428) in donations was raised from the public for her surgery.
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