Using a handheld metal detector to detect ingested hooks and other metallic objects in freshwater turtles

Turtles can be unintentionally hooked during recreational and commercial fishing operations. While hook ingestion is not always fatal, ingested hooks harm or kill turtles by damaging soft tissues affecting digestion. Detecting other metallic debris in the field a challenge. As such, we tested efficacy of handheld metal detector detecting fish incidental freshwater Georgia, USA. We captured 426 individual representing 4 species radiographed 106 yellow-bellied sliders (Trachemys scripta scripta). Of 37 that positive with detector, radiographs revealed 17 (46%) had at least one hook, 15 (40%) an unidentifiable object objects, 5 (14%) showed no clear signs objects. All 69 negative were ingestion. Accordingly, our proportion false positives was 14% (5 37), negatives (metal detected but on follow-up radiograph) 0% (0 69), overall accuracy 95% (101 turtles). Thus, detectors may useful tool for objects turtles.