Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

Thai 'piggy bank' turtle slips into coma after op to remove coins

BANGKOK — The sea turtle which achieved media fame after swallowing 915 coins and underwent an emergency life-saving operation was in grave condition and needed more surgery, a veterinarian said on Sunday (Mar 19).

Dr Nantarika Chansue with Om Sin the turtle last week. Photo: AFP

Dr Nantarika Chansue with Om Sin the turtle last week. Photo: AFP

Follow TODAY on WhatsApp

BANGKOK — The sea turtle which achieved media fame after swallowing 915 coins and underwent an emergency life-saving operation was in grave condition and needed more surgery, a veterinarian said on Sunday (Mar 19).

“Let's pray,” Dr Nantarika Chansue, a veterinary scientist and a leading member of the team helping the animal, wrote on her Facebook page.

The turtle nicknamed “Om Sin”, or piggy bank, had appeared likely for a quick recovery after veterinarians removed the coins weighing 5kg from its stomach on Mar 6.

On Saturday (Mar 18), vets detected that the 25-year-old female turtle looked depressed and had a stomachache arising from complications from the surgery.

“Yesterday, we carried out an emergency operation on Om Sin due to the complications from intestinal volvulus,” said Dr Nantarika, a scientist at Chulalongkorn University's veterinary science.

Om Sin is staying at the university while recovering. When it has recovered, it will be sent to the Royal Thai Navy's Sea Turtle Conservation Centre in Chonburi province for full rehabilitation.

As Om Sin’s condition is “very serious”, it is still in the intensive-care unit with no visitors allowed.

The update on Om Sin was shared by the many people who follow Dr Nantarika's Facebook page with support pouring in for her team and the turtle.

The troubled reptile had lived for two decades in a small public park in Chonburi. Visitors tossed coins into her pond seeking to “make merit” or for good luck.

Om Sin was sent to Chulalongkorn University last month, but it could barely swim, and a CT scan showed the coins inside its body. AGENCIES

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.