Turtles with bleeding eyes found dead on NSW beaches as authorities probe mystery

Wildlife carers are investigating the cause of death of dozens of turtles that have washed ashore north of Newcastle, with some showing unusual symptoms such as bleeding around the eyes. In the past month, marine rescue group Sea Shelter has recorded the deaths of 25 green turtles that washed ashore at Port Stephens beaches.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) confirmed it was investigating the deaths of more than 30 turtles in recent weeks, according ot the ABC news.

Turtles have been discovered at several popular swimming locations, including Shoal Bay, Nelson Bay, and Corlette.

While the reported deaths seem to be concentrated around tourist beaches, wildlife experts suggest this may be due to a higher likelihood of sightings in more populated areas, as the Independent reported.

Several agencies, including NPWS, the Department of Primary Industries, and Taronga Zoo’s Australian Registry of Wildlife Health, are participating in the investigation.

In a statement, the National Parks and Wildlife Service confirmed that samples were being collected for testing and that investigations into the cause were underway.

As per the ABC, the Taronga Zoo registry said in a statement that it had undertaken necropsies on two turtles and was conducting diagnostic testing on samples from 15 more marine turtles from Port Stephens to understand their cause of death.

"It is too early to establish a definitive diagnosis," the statement read.

“It’s definitely very, very worrying,” Lia Pereira, co-founder of Sea Shelter, told ABC News. “In my personal history of working with turtles, I have never seen this in Port Stephens.”

Ryan Pereira, a co-founder of Sea Shelter in Anna Bay, reported an increase in the number of sick or dead turtles following the recent flooding in the area.

He mentioned that there are "too many possibilities at the moment" to determine the cause of the turtles’ deaths.