Aug 20, 2008

Earlier this week, Marathon was affected by tropical storm Fay. While it did not reach hurricane level there was quite a bit of rain and high winds in the area. The winds were strong enough to damage the shade cloth which covers the pool and tank enclosure at the Turtle Hospital.

The Turtle Hospital has a hurricane plan that was put into action. In addition to the normal preparations like putting up shutters and placing lawn furniture inside, steps are taken to ensure the safety of the turtles in our care. During hurricane Wilma in 2005, the enclosure area where the 100,000 gallon salt water pool and 26 large tanks are, was under 6 feet of water due to the storm surge. Fortunately, none of the turtles that were in the pool during the storm were lost or hurt (the smaller turtles from the tanks were moved into the hospital and dry docked in kiddie pools).

Last year, thanks to a generous grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we had two 30 foot diameter, 26,000 gallon fiberglass tanks installed behind the hospital. Each tank has sand filters, protein skimmers and ozone generators, being able to operate as either a closed or open system. Gasoline pumps fill the tanks from the Gulf and can be used in case of extended power outages. This provides the ability to remove all the turtles from the enclosure area and provide safe housing during a storm.

Prior to Fay’s arrival, staff moved all of the turtles from the pool into the tanks. This was the first time the new tanks have contained turtles and was good practice, providing a number of lessons learned. The added bonus was having the permanent resident turtles already being handled so all of them got a physical.

Aug 15, 2008

The FWC received reports of a floating turtle in the area of French reef. The initial response boat was unable to manage the turtle and sent out a radio request for assistance. Ocean Divers (out of Key Largo) was in the area with a dive party and responded. Having a larger boat (the Santana) with lower sides (and plenty of muscle), the 283 pound adult male Green Sea Turtle was captured.

OD (for Ocean Divers) with his rescuers, Captain Fred Hammond, dive instructors Keith DeMell and Kevin McKay.

This is the second largest turtle that has been brought in to the Turtle Hospital for treatment. Staff, Micah Rogers had the challenge to keep OD in a kiddie pool (in the ambulance) during the 1 hour transport from Key Largo to Marathon.

The turtle has flipper tags and a PIT tag (microchip). The FWC will determine if OD has been previously rehabilitated or is part of a study (tag and release) program. Initial examination finds no external trauma. X-rays indicate a possible lung infection which will be validated by blood analysis. The turtle is very active and strong and has been started on antibiotics.

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The Turtle Hospital is happy to announce
the grand opening of our online store!

You can order a famous Turtle Hospital T-shirt,
choose from dozens of sea turtle gifts,
and even adopt a sea turtle!

WWW.TURTLEHOSPITALSTORE.COM

The Turtle Hospital is a non-profit organization dedicated solely to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of one of our most endangered marine creatures…but we do need your help. Each turtle treated at the hospital is extremely important to the population and every dollar you spend gets them that much closer to returning home. We are funded primarily by the interest and generosity of people like you.
100% of the proceeds go directly to the care of the turtles.

(click any of the above to visit the store)

The Turtle Hospital is a non-profit 501c(3) charitable organization.

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Aug 8 2008

Two juvenile Green Sea Turtles arrived today at their new home in Connecticut. The turtles were hatched from eggs and had been used for research for the past 4 years, to provide baseline information in the study of the transmission of fibropapilloma. The small turtles are healthy and active but could not be released as they had never been in the wild. The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk will house the turtles in a 30,000 tank as part of an educational exhibit.

Turtle Hospital director, Richie Moretti accompanied the turtle on a Fed Ex flight from Ft Lauderdale to New Jersey. The turtles were transported out of water and required on going care to keep their eyes lubricated and shells moistened.

Aug 7, 2008

The FWC received a report of a floating Loggerhead Sea Turtle in Kemp’s Channel, near Little Torch Key. The Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary was contacted and Team Ocean coordinator Todd Hitchins along with volunteer Peter Moorcroft responded. They were able to locate the 102 pound turtle which was swimming on the surface and unable to dive. The turtle came right up to the side of the boat which is not normal but made rescuing a lot easier. The Turtle Hospital met their boat at a nearby marina and transported the animal back to Marathon in the ambulance.

Theresa is very active and strong. X-rays did not show any impaction and blood work did not identify any issue. When put in a tank with shallow water, the turtle would constantly swim in to the side of the tank, biting at the tank walls. This is not typical. Usually a turtle will find the walls of the tanks and quickly learn that they can not go any farther. Also, there is no interest in offered food. Staff has done some basic vision testing and there is no response to movement or brightness changes close to either eye. Veterinarian staff will do additional evaluation to determine if Theresa has a vision problem.

Update Aug 9, 2008

Sadly, suddenly and unexpectedly, Theresa has died. The turtle was in a shallow tank and was being monitored hourly and was very active / strong at the last check. Staff suspects the turtle had a neurological disorder, causing the blindness, constant swimming and biting. A necropsy will be performed to determine what was cause of the problems.

Boat Hit Season

Summertime in the Keys. Vacationers out in their boats fishing, diving, doing whatever. Lobster mini season (thousands more boaters). Start of commercial lobster season (more, large boats out every day). The results are a dramatic increase of the number of sea turtles that are injured and killed. In the past week alone, the Turtle Hospital has picked up two live turtles (that subsequently died of their injuries),

one fresh dead

 and did reports on 4 others that were called in from the Marathon area. This is only part of the number killed statewide.

Boaters should obey the No Wake zones in canals and channels (where turtles and boats are squeezed together) and be aware there are more adult turtles in the near offshore waters due to nesting season. Slowing down improves response time and has added benefit of using less gas…

Aug 2, 2008

Each year during turtle nesting season, the Turtle Hospital cares for a number of hatchlings. These are the ones that become disorientated due to lighting in the area of the nest, that become entangled in vegetation, don’t make it out of the nest (found during inventory of the nest), are injured by animal / insect attack or are washed back to shore. Nesting beaches in the Keys are monitored by a network of volunteers, Park staff and others that walk the beaches daily to identify nesting crawls that occurred the previous night. Nests are marked, monitored and inventoried after hatching.

Hatchlings brought to the Turtle Hospital are placed in tanks and offered food (pieces of squid tentacles and small bits of shrimp). Once the hatchlings start eating, they are ready for release.

After emerging from the nest, hatchlings would normally swim to the Sargassum sea weed patches that are prevalent off shore this time of year. The ones in our care are given a boat ride out to the sea weed patches to ensure they have a good chance to survive (birds and fish are always on the look out for a quick and easy snack).

A group of Loggerhead hatchlings were released yesterday. Pictured below is Holly Rolls who is one of the beach monitors for Sombrero and Coco Plum beaches in Marathon. Holly brought in several of the hatchlings (found during inventory of nests she identified) and had the opportunity to see the babies off to start their life in the ocean.

July 31, 2008

Lisa had surgery today to remove fibropapilloma tumors affecting both eyes. This was critical as the tumors can grow rapidly and if left unchecked, would damage the eyes where the turtle could be blinded and then be un-releasable.

Doctor Kristen Hall from Marathon Veterinarian Hospital donated time on her day off, to perform the delicate operation,  using a laser to remove the tumors from the eyes and several from the neck. Lisa will need at least one and possible two more surgeries to remove the remaining tumors. (Surgeries are limited to 1 hour or less when the turtle is under anesthesia).

July 12, 2008

Turtle Hospital staff responded to Monroe County Sheriff’s office reporting an injured sea turtle. The turtle had been struck numerous times with what may have been a machete. (FWC and the Sheriff’s office are investigating.) The sub adult Loggerhead has suffered lacerations to the head, front carapace, neck and front left flipper. The head wounds are very serious but appear to have not damaged the brain as the turtle is strong, alert and has a good heart rate.

Marathon Veterinarian Hospital (Doctor Kristin Hall) and Turtle Hospital staff are doing everything possible to keep “Johnny” comfortable and on the road to recovery.

Update July 15, 2008

Turtle Hospital staff has taken many calls and e-mails showing support for Johnny and the state of his (or her, we don’t know) injuries. The Turtle Hospital is pleased to say that the turtle is swimming in his pool and very responsive. The first major hurdle has been accomplished: Johnny survived the machete blows to the skull. With the injuries sustained, it is remarkable that he survived the first 24 hours and exemplifies the perseverance of these animals.

Johnny has a long way to go. Now, the number one concern for staff at The Turtle Hospital is the risk facing the turtle of an infection in the brain. Unable to see how deep the injuries are in the skull, staff must approach treatment methods as being a worst-case scenario. Johnny is getting treated with a very powerful antibiotic called chloramphenicol (administered twice a day). This is a very expensive medication ($780.00 per week for Johnny alone) but vital to saving the turtle’s life.

The wounds get flushed and cleaned daily

and bandage wrapped to keep the wounds as clean as possible.

Update July 31, 2008

Johnny remains strong and active. He has not started eating on his own so staff are required to perform “placement feeding” daily. Squid is placed in the back of the throat, using a piece of plastic tubing. The turtle will then swallow which provides nourishment needed for the healing process.

July 14, 2008

Presenting a check to The Turtle Hospital for $237 is Samantha Tennick, President of the Marine Science Club at Richard Stockton College in Pomona, NJ. Samantha and and the 10 members of the Marine Science Club made this very generous donation after holding a fundraiser for The Turtle Hospital. The group sold items related to sea turtles such as pens, key chains, and jewelry. The group recently traveled to the Florida Keys to learn more about Keys ecology and wildlife, including sea turtles. Thank you Samantha and your entire team for such hard work and dedication. It is caring people like you that allow us to operate at the level that we do and to help save sea turtles for future generations.

Schripsy

July 7, 2007

“Schripsy” is a critically endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle that was recently rescued in Islamorada, Florida Keys. Fisherman discovered the small turtle floating and unable to dive, the first indication that something is wrong with a sea turtle. The turtle was found near Robbie’s Marina, an Islamorada landmark that has a large congregation of Tarpon waiting for a handout from the human visitors. To a young sea turtle, large fish (including tarpon) are a top predator. Fortunately for little Scripsy, concerned fisherman realized the little guy was in distress and brought him into the docks at Robbie’s, where staff from The Turtle Hospital rushed down to pick it up. The Hawksbill was weakened and emaciated, and is undergoing rehabilitation at The Turtle Hospital.

July 6, 2008

Vincent Fimiani (age 7) of Marathon recently had a project in school which was to finish a story that starts with “Today, I found $100 at the playground and I decided to …” In addition to giving food to the poor, Vincent also listed helping the Turtle Hospital. Going beyond the school project, he started a collection and today stopped by to donate the money he saved.

Much thanks Vincent and as your teacher noted on your story work sheet, “You are a delightful boy!

July 2, 2008

A concerned fisherman picked up a post hatchling Hawksbill Sea Turtle from a sea weed patch off of Gieger Key. The small turtle was being circled by a number of large tarpon which may have had a meal in mind.

Being a bit emaciated, Evinrude will be well fed and released in a shallow reef area when ready.

The 11 th annual Key West Classic Paddleboard Race was recently held, where contestants compete to paddle around Key West (a 12 mile course) in the fastest time. Michael Westenberger entered the race and decided to pledge any winnings to 3 local Key’s charities, The Turtle Hospital, Key West Wildlife Rescue and Green Living and Energy Education.

“Westy” placed second in the race and provided a third of his $2000 winnings to help save Sea Turtles in the Florida Keys!

Ryan Schrafflenberger from Captain Hook’s Dive Center in Marathon recently rescued an injured Sea Turtle and decided to further help the species by organizing a fund raiser to provide assistance to the Turtle Hospital ( a 501 (c) (3) charitable corporation). Captain Hook’s with contributions from Frosty’s and Budweiser hosted the first annual Charity Chicken Wing Eating Contest for Turtles.

Twelve teams of four persons competed to put away 75 chicken wings, 15 sliders and two pitchers of beer in the shortest time. The winning time of 14 minutes and 5 seconds was achieved by the team from Captain Hook’s. Florida Keys Dive Center (Tavernier) took second and Sparadeo Lawn Service (Marathon) came in third.

The event raised over a thousand dollars, which will help fund food and medications for the patients currently at the Turtle Hospital.

June 29, 2008

A sub adult Loggerhead Sea Turtle was found floating in the Ocean Reef area of Key Largo. The turtle was transported to the Turtle Hospital and upon having an incoming X-ray performed, the problem became apparent. The digestive tract is impacted, the bloated intestines clearly showing on the X-ray image . In addition to antibiotics and vitamins,  laxatives will also be administered.

The Florida Keys Sea Turtle nesting season is in full swing. Officially starting on April 15 (running through Oct 31) there have been a number of nests identified and several that have already hatched. Save-A-Turtle coordinates the monitoring of beaches in the Keys, hosting annual training sessions by the FWC and scheduling daily “beach walks” by volunteers. Each year the Turtle Hospital receives hundreds of hatchlings that became disorientated due to improper lighting in the area, ones that did not make it out of the nest (found when nest is inventoried after hatching), hatchlings that got trapped or tangled in vegetation or trash on the beach and others that were attached by birds, crabs ants etc. The baby turtles are placed in special “hatchling tanks” where they are monitored and fed. Once the hatchlings are eating on their own (finely cut squid tentacles), staff will take them out to the Gulf Stream and place them in patches of Sargassum seaweed which is where they would normally swim to. Hatchlings that do not eat on their own or that have other physical problems are held and treated until being releasable.

Two hatchlings from a nest on Sombrero Beach in Marathon, currently in our care.

June 25, 2008

A juvenile Green Sea Turtle was rescued aprox 7 miles North of Duck Key. The small turtle has numerous fibropapilloma tumors affecting all flippers and the eyes. Surgery will be performed to ensure no internal tumors are present (by endoscope) and external tumors will be removed by laser and radio scalpel.

Lisa with Turtle Hospital Administrator, Ryan Butts.

Update July 3, 2008

Endoscope inspection was performed and no internal tumors were found! Lisa is a bit undernourished so her surgery to remove external tumors will be delayed a couple of weeks to provide time to get stronger.

Update July 31, 2008

Lisa had surgery today to remove fibropapilloma tumors affecting both eyes. This was critical as the tumors can grow rapidly and if left unchecked, could damage the eyes where the turtle could be blinded and then be un-releasable.

Doctor Kristen Hall from Marathon Veterinarian Hospital donated time on her day off, to perform the delicate operation using a laser to remove the tumors from the eyes and several from the neck. Lisa will need at least one and possible two more surgeries to remove the remaining tumors. (Surgeries are limited to 1 hour or less when the turtle is under anesthesia).

JUNE 23, 2008

Smitty, a sub adult Loggerhead Sea Turtle, was released just North of the Seven Mile Bridge in Marathon. Admitted in January 2008, the turtle had been found floating and was unable to dive. Tests indicated an infection causing the problem and treatment was antibiotics and vitamins.

Participating in the release was Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Turtle Hospital Director Richie Moretti.

The release was done from a US Coast Guard vessel.

And Smitty was last seen headed out to sea.