A turtle found tangled in fishing line, with “deep, nasty” cuts to its flippers and a hook lodged in its neck has been rescued by NSW’s Taronga Wildlife Hospital.

The green turtle was brought to Sydney from the Hunter region just over a week ago, after it was located in netting attached to a fishing pot.

“It’s also got damage to the side of its mouth – we think there must have been line going into its mouth, and … there’s evidence of a fish hook caught in its neck,” veterinary officer at the wildlife hospital Dr Frances Hulst said.

The veterinary team used an X-ray to identify the hook, and found fishing line had cut its flipper causing tissue damage to the bone.

The team was unable to extract the hook from the turtle during surgery, but don’t believe it will cause further damage.

While the turtle had a “dramatic wound” on its flipper, Dr Hulst said she was hopeful it would heal.

“I think the turtle will always have a defect in that limb, but if it’s functional and she can swim with it then that’s what we really want,” she stated.

The turtle is now recovering in intensive care, and is eating squid and swimming.

One of the challenges of treating sea turtles is their size and weight – with species able to grow to more than 100kg.

“This animal was only 31kg, but a pretty solid lump,” Dr Hulst said.

The wildlife hospital treats many different species including amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles, she explained, adding the clinic has to be “very adaptable”.

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