Wilma, a nearly 200 pound adult female Loggerhead, has been at The Turtle Hospital for 9 long months after being rescued October 25th 2009. Wilma had been found wrapped in fishing line and had sadly injested multiple j-hooks which were now lodged in her intestinal track. Turtle Hospital staff assisted Wilma in passing the hooks by adding vegetable oil to her diet which acts as a safe and natural laxitives. Once the hooks reached the lower intestines staff volunteer veterinarian Dr. Doug Mader suggested surgery to remove the foreign hooks.
The difficult procedure was performed on July 13th by Dr. Mader, and assisted by intern Jason and Turtle Hospital director Richie Moretti and administrator Ryan Butts. Dr. Mader was able to remove the portion of the intestines which contained the hooks through a small incision in the soft tissue under her rear flipper. Suprisingly, in addition to two fully intact j-hooks, 3 feet of monofilament fishing line was also removed during the surgery!
Wilma is currently back in her tank recovering and will be released back into her ocean home soon!
On Friday, July 16th 2010, Sunset Grille & Raw Bar and Captain Hook’s Marina & Dive Center are going to host the Third Annual Chicken Wing Eating Tournament. This spectacle is a race against the clock to see what team can mow down chicken wings, sliders and beer in the shortest amount of time.
The format will consist of each team having four contestants, two of them must be over the age of 21. Each team will attempt to polish off 75 chicken wings, 15 sliders and 2 pitchers of beer. The winner is determined by the team that devours everything in the least amount of time.
The last two years have been extremely successful for this tournament. Since the inception of the Chicken Wing Eating Tournament idea in 2008, there have been 15 and 18 teams that have entered. Between the two years, the tournament raised about $2,800 for The Turtle Hospital, located at 2396 Overseas Highway in Marathon, Florida.
To enter the competition, please contact Ryan@captainhooks.com or call 305-743-2444
The Turtle Hospital would like to sincerely thank those who participated in the past and look forward to seeing you again at this years event. Even if you’re not ready to compete you can always come and enjoy the festivities! This years event will include a DJ contest, live music and more! We hope to see you soon!
On Friday June 24th, local resident Sam Sutton was working on a boat at Murray’s Marina on Stock Island when he noticed a Loggerhead struggling to dive. He immediately called The Turtle Hospital and administrator Ryan Butts responded.
Upon arrival they easily located the 85 pound Loggerhead listlessly swimming in the shallow marina struggling to dive. Luckily they were able to rescue the injured turtle and she was taken back to The Turtle Hospital for evaluation.
Staff quickly noticed a deep propeller wound to the back of her carapace (shell). Although the injury appeared to be several months old, the open wound may have gotten infected while healing. Luckily, x-ray’s revealed no internal damage or foreign object ingestion. Treatment will include antibiotics, vitamins and rest. Staff expects a speedy recovery!
The Turtle Hospital would like to sincerely thank Captain Spider for helping to raise money for our current 43 sea turtle patients! Long time local Captian Spider hosts a casting call twice a week in Marathon at several different bars and restaurants in the area. The game involves casting a line with a weight towards different colored targets in the water. Each target is worth a certain amount of points. The winner chooses from several great prizes but each player knows the small $5 donation to play this fun and addictive game helps benefit a local charity or non-profit. In two of the Captain’s latest casting calls nearly $300 was raised to help benefit The Turtle Hospital.
Thank you!
Tommy Price, an eighth grader from Hollywood Florida was visiting his grandmother on Grassy Key. He went out to the jetty to do some fishing and instead found a large (105 pound) loggerhead turtle floating listlessly near the shore. Grandma called the Turtle Hospital and staff swam out and netted the lethargic animal.
Tommy Boy (the turtle) is very weak, has “lockjaw” and possibly compromised vision. Blood work is pending to determine if the animal has encountered some toxins. Treatment will include physical therapy to force the jaws apart, antibiotics and vitamins.
UPDATE June 22nd:
Sadly Tommy Boy has passed. A necropsy will be performed to determine cause of death and tissue samples will be sent to a lab to hopefully help identity the possible toxin which caused the lock jaw.
A concerned visitor to the keys called The Turtle Hospital to report a strange situation. A large Loggerhead sea turtle had been sitting in front of her rental home on Duck Key for several days in only a few feet of water. The turtle had surfaced occasionally to breathe but had remained in the shallow grass bed. Turtle Hospital Administrator Ryan Butts responded to the call and easily located the lethargic sea turtle.
Tomina, named by her rescuer, was brought back via turtle ambulance to the hospital. Inspection of her carapace (shell) revealed that she had suffered an old boat hit and had three healed propeller wounds. The injury left her shell deformed but luckily she does not suffer from bubble butt syndrome or rear flipper paralysis. X-ray’s were taken and Tomina does have a J-hook lodged in her upper intestines and blood work reveals she is also septic.
Tomina will need laxatives to help her pass the hook, antibiotics for the infection of her blood stream and extra squid in her diet to help her gain weight.
UPDATE June 26th 2010:
Sadly and suddenly Tomina passed. A necropsy was performed to determine cause of death and several abnormalities were found including a large amount of fishing line she had injested which was impacted in her intestines.
On Tuesday May 25, 2010 almost 3 years after being admitted to the Turtle Hospital, Whit’s End is moving to The World Aquarium in St. Louis, Missouri to work as an ambassador for Green sea turtle species. She will be educating the public on the importance of saving our oceans, taking care of our wildlife, and demonstrating human impacts on sea turtle species. Bubble Butt Syndrome has caused Whit’s End inability to be released back into the wild. During her time at the hospital Whit’s End adjusted to new life with weights epoxied to her shell to help her dive, and gained 9 pounds!
So if you’re ever in St. Louis stop by and say hello to a friend of ours!
2010 has been an incredibly difficult year for The Turtle Hospital and Florida’s wildlife. In January, when temperatures plummeted into the thirty’s, 5,000 sea turtles stranded throughout the state. Of those, 188 were rescued and treated at The Turtle Hospital. The Turtle Hospital has recovered from the cold stun crisis, but with the impending hurricane season almost upon us, the Gulf of Mexico oil spill has potential to cause more damage than anything the hospital has faced in the past.
In preparation for the worst, emergency tanks (used during hurricanes and during the cold stun) are being tested. The seawater that feeds the treatment tanks and saltwater pool inside the enclosure is pulled directly from the bay. If oil contaminates the bay there will be no access to outside seawater or circulation inside the enclosure for our patients. Therefore, for the animal’s safety, the sea turtles will have to be moved into two 36,000 gallon hurricane relief tanks located behind the hospital. These tanks can be filled with seawater directly from the bay, but once a valve is closed the tanks operate on a closed recirculating system. Large sumps and protein skimmers clean and filter the water. Patients that are seriously sick or injured will be moved inside the hospital where they can be monitored and treated.
If the oil spill reaches the Florida Keys, The Turtle Hospital will be prepared to assist the community and local wildlife. Items necessary to clean and remove oil, such as Mayonnaise and Dawn soap, are being purchased to respond to any sea turtles or other marine life affected by the oil. Mayonnaise is safe, non-toxic and effective in cleaning sea turtles coated in oil. In addition, The Turtle Hospital will also need haz-mat suits, a shade cloth for the hurricane tanks and large quantities of synthetic sea salt for mixing artificial sea water.
For those interested in volunteering their time to assist in a possible clean-up visit Keys Spill for information.
For more on how The Turtle Hospital is preparing for disaster visit: http://www.justnews.com/video/23470002/index.html
UPDATE May 29th:
Turtle Hospital staff continues to monitor the BP oil spill and remains in contact with DEP (Department of Environmental Protection), BP (British Petroleum) and FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife.) For now forecasts state that a light sheen of oil is near the loop current but should dissipate before reaching our coasts. All staff members of The Turtle Hospital have taken the required courses for post oil clean up and continue to remain on high alert. No sea turtles in Florida Keys waters have been reported injured from oil contamination. For now we encourage travelers to visit the Florida Keys and we continue to offer our daily guided educational programs of The Turtle Hospital at 10am, 1pm and 4pm daily.
For updates and daily trajectories visit: http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/topic_subtopic_entry.php?RECORD_KEY(entry_subtopic_topic)=entry_id,subtopic_id,topic_id&entry_id(entry_subtopic_topic)=809&subtopic_id(entry_subtopic_topic)=2&topic_id(entry_subtopic_topic)=1
The Turtle Hospital celebrated Earth Day 2010 by releasing a 200 pound sea turtle named Pal from Coco Plum Beach!
Pal, a large Loggerhead sea turtle, was returned to his ocean home in celebration of Earth Day. He was admitted to The Turtle Hospital two short months prior, suffering from an impaction. However with vegetable oil and fiber added to his squid breakfast, Pal quickly passed the blockage. Several well wishers and on-lookers arrived to say goodbye and watch Pal return home. The event also attracted media attention with CBS 4 Miami and CBS Nightly News. For more on his release and video footage please visit CBS 4 news online.
After Pal’s release, Turtle Hospital Director Richie Moretti and Administrator Ryan Butts visited The Dolphin Research Center to celebrate Earth Day with local students. Several facilities attended and spent the day educating the children on the importance of protecting Florida’s wildlife. The students were given the opportunity to meet “Scooter” The Turtle Hospital’s educational Loggerhead, and learn about the impact humans have on sea turtles and how they can help sea turtles survive!
The Turtle Hospital in Marathon would like to invite residents and guests to Key West to participate in the release of “Stevie”, a 220 pound Loggerhead sea turtle that has been convalescing at the Turtle Hospital since November. The adult male was found off of Key West where he was found by Captain Steve of The Galloping Ghost. It was discovered at the Turtle Hospital that Stevie was suffering from a severe infection. After several months of antibiotics, Stevie will be returned home at Higgs Beach in Key West behind Solute’ restaurant. The event will be a sunset release on the beach at 6:00pm on Sunday May 2nd. Supporters are encouraged to come spend a beautiful evening on a Key West beach and wish Stevie luck on his return to the ocean.
Romeo, a nearly 10cm post hatchling Hawksbill sea turtle, was rescued from a boat basin in Islamorada. The little sea turtle has already had a rough life, Romeo is missing his right front flipper! Hatchling sea turtles face an enormous amount of predators, which is why females typically lay a hundred or so eggs per clutch. Ants, birds, crabs, raccoons, lizards and fish make up a small list of predators these hatchlings face.
Romeo will have a short stay at The Turtle Hospital. Staff will feed him small chopped up squid tentacles several times a day and give him plenty of time to rest. Once he grows stronger, staff will take him 20 miles offshore to the Sargassum Weedline. Although little is known about the life of a hatchling sea turtle, the Sargassum will provide food and camouflage for the vulnerable sea turtle for several years.
UPDATE June 22nd 2010:
Sadly our little Romeo has died. Romeo was struggling to eat and was not able to process calories. However the day after Romeo was rescued (April 17th) a second post hatchling Hawksbill was rescued in Key West. The hatchling was named Smithers and he is doing extermely well.
Wyland, famous for his amazing underwater paintings and murals, met with Turtle Hospital staff and a little Loggerhead named Scooter at his gallery in Islamorada and Key West. The Turtle Hospital was personally invited to the “Meet The Artist” event where staff was able to educate guests on sea turtles and the impact we as humans have on the ocean. During the event, Wyland created an original painting of our beautiful educational Loggerhead, Scooter.
This original one of a kind painting was donated by Wyland to The Turtle Hosptial. It is valued at $3,750. The Turtle Hosptial will be selling the painting for its estimated value with all proceeds benefiting The Turtle Hosptial. 100% of the proceeds will be used for the medical and surgical care our current 51 sea turtles desperately need.
If you are interested in this fabulous original piece of art by Wyland and would like to help support The Turtle Hospital please contact Turtle Hospital at 305-743-2552 or at turtlehosp@aol.com.
Thank you for your interest and support!
To celebrate the upcoming Earth Day Thursday, The Turtle Hospital in Marathon would like to invite residents and guests to the Keys to witness the release of Pal, a 200 pound Loggerhead sea turtle. The adult male will return to his ocean home on Thursday April 22nd at 9:00am at Coco Plum Beach in Marathon. After a month long stay at The Turtle Hospital, Pal is anxious to return home. Come celebrate this great day of awareness with The Turtle Hospital and Pal the Loggerhead sea turtle.
Bolin, a very small juvenile Green sea turtle, was rescued by The Coast Guard in Islamorada. It appears as though Bolin was either struck by a propeller or attacked by a predator. Although she escaped with her life, Bolin is missing part of the rear of her shell and her left rear flipper. The injury appears to be fairly recent but has already begun healing since she has been in our care. Currently staff is treating the small Green sea turtle with antibiotics to prevent infection and cleans and debrides the wound daily. Even though she is missing part part of her shell and one flipper, Bolin will be able to return to her home in the sea once the wound has healed.
UPDATE May 1st:
Bolin is released!
Bubba, a 93 pound sub-adult Loggerhead, was rescued March 27th by good samaritans Buddy & Mary Ellen Norris near No Name Key. (Bubba is pictured above with his rescuers). Bubba was found struggling to dive and brought in shore where Turtle Hospital staff brought Bubba back to Marathon via Turtle Hospital ambulance! Preliminary x-rays ruled out impaction and blood work was sent to a lab. As it turns out, Bubba has a minor infection. Since he has begun antibiotic treatments, Bubba gives staff a hard time by opening his mouth and trying to bite when given an injection! In only one week Bubba appears less bouyant and more active. Staff expects a full recovery!
UPDATE April 11th:
Bubba is no longer floating! He is able to remain at the bottom of his treatment tank. This means that his infection is already clearing and Bubba is well on his way to recovery!
Turtle Hospital staff would like to thank Buddy and Mary Ellen for their generous donation. This donation will be used to help provide the food and antibiotics Bubba needs!
UPDATE May 1st:
Bubba was released from the beach at Coco Plum in Marathon!
Kentucky, a small sub adult Loggerhead, was rescued March 25th from the beach at Sunshine Key. This thin sea turtle had suffered a shark bite on the left side of her body. Kentucky was already suffering from an infection which left her floating helplessly at the surface. While struggling to dive she may have attracted the large predator while splashing around on the surface. Luckily Kentucky was able to escape with only a minor injury. Currently she is being treated for an infection and the shark bite is tended to daily.
UPDATE May 12th:
Dr. Mader (Marathon Veterinary Hospital) visited Kentucky to examine her shark bite. The injury has almost entirely healed and Kentucky has been given the ok for release!
UPDATE June 25th:
Kentucky is released with administrator Ryan Butts, several marine journalists and representatives from Yamaha. http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7811
Pal, a 195 pound adult male Loggerhead, was rescued March 24th off of Sunshine Key. At first glance, Pal appears to be a very large healthy sea turtle. Once given an x-ray (see photo above) it was apparent that he was bloated internally with a minor impaction. The trapped gas in the intestines was causing this big boy to float at the surface! Once at The Turtle Hospital, Pal was fed squid soaked in vegetable oil which acts as a laxative and helps him safely and naturally pass any undigested food. After a few short days in treatment Pal began passing what appears to be seagrass and other large pieces of fecal matter. Once staff is certain the impaction has passed, Pal will be given an x-ray to confirm that his stomach and intestines are clear before release. Staff is hopeful that Pal’s stay at the hospital will be short.
UPDATE April 23rd:
Pal was released yesterday in celebration of Earthday! Friends of The Turtle Hospital and the media were present to wish Pal farewell. For more on his story click the following link to CBS Channel 4 news: http://cbs4.com/local/sea.turtle.turtles.2.1650099.html?detectflash=false
Toni, a sub-adult Loggerhead, was admitted March 3rd 2010. She was found floating near Key Colony Beach. Toni was thin and weak but responded immediately to offered squid. However staff quickly realized she was unable to feed herself. Toni is most likely suffering from a condition known as “lock jaw.” Unfortunately there are few documented cases of lock jaw and little is known about it. The common theory is that the afflicted sea turtle may have injested or come in contact with a toxin. Since the toxin is unknown the only available treatment is physical therapy for the frozen jaw muscles. Everyday staff uses two ropes to pry Toni’s upper and lower jaw open and closed. This is repeated several times throughout the day and helps to excercise the stiff muscles. With therapy Toni should be able to open her mouth again and eventually eat on her own!
Update May 14th:
Toni has begun eating small squid on her own! Throughout the past week Toni has improved so much that she can eat nearly 30 squid a day! Her physical therapy for lock jaw continues. It will take more time for Toni to be able to completely open her mouth and eat like a Loggerhead sea turtle should.
Sharon-Tilly, a sub adult Loggerhead, was released Thursday March 25th from Bahia Honda State Park! Sharon-Tilly was rescued by Doug and Sharon Largent, found floating near Bahia Honda and treated at The Turtle Hospital for an impaction. After 4 short months of laxitive therapy to help her pass the impaction, Sharon-Tilly was ready for release…..well not quite yet.
The Turtle Hospital has been rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing sea turtles for 24 years. In our history we have successfully released over 1,000 sea turtles. Each sea turtle is tagged for future identification with a flipper tag and microchipped with a PIT tag (pet identification tag). However, as a non-profit organization, The Turtle Hospital has never released a sea turtle with a satellite transmitter for tracking.
Satellite tags transmit a signal to polar orbiting satellites which allow us to detect the position of the tagged sea turtle. Approximately the size of a cell phone, the tags monitor parameters such as water temperature, how deep the turtle dives, how fast they swim and where they go. While we obtain extremely valuable information from these tags they do have limiting factors. The average life span of the tag is typically one year or less. Another factor is cost. The price of each tag can range between $3,000 and $6,000 depending on the kind of information collected in addition to the cost of satellite monitoring.
Thanks to a generous donation from Doug and Sharon Largent (Sharons rescuers), The Turtle Hospital was able to place our first ever satellite transmitter on one of our sea turtles courtesy of Mote Marine Laboratory. For the first time ever we will be able to see where one of our rehabilitated sea turtles travel. You can to! Thanks to seaturtle.org and Mote Marine Laboratory you can view the path that Sharon-Tilly takes and track her with us!
Where will Sharon-Tilly Go? Click here to find out: http://www.seaturtle.org/tracking/index.shtml?tag_id=94929&full=1〈=
(Sharon-Tilly returning to the sea…the large red patch is painted on the epoxy which holds the transmitter to her shell)
The Turtle Hospital would like to extend an extra special THANK YOU to Doug and Sharon Largent, who not only rescued Sharon-Tilly, but through donations during her rehabilitation helped Sharon-Tilly recover. Without their generous donation for the satellite transmitter as well, we would never know where Sharon-Tilly will go.
The Turtle Hospital in Marathon would like to invite residents and guests to the Keys to participate in the release of “Sharon”, a Loggerhead sea turtle, when the turtle is returned to her ocean home on Thursday, March 25th. Sharon was rescued from the Bahia Honda area in December with a severe infection. After several months of antibiotics and rehabilitation, Sharon is now ready for release. Due to a generous donation from Sharon’s rescuers, the turtle will be outfitted with a satellite tag to track her movements throughout the Keys and the Caribbean. This will be great educational tool for sea turtle conservation where classrooms and individuals can log on to the Turtle Hospital’s website and follow the turtle’s migration over the next year. The event will take place at Bahia Honda State Park on Thursday, March 25th at 11:00 am. To learn more about Sharon’s release call 305-743-2552.