Oct 28, 2007
SANCHEZ a juvenile Hawksbill Sea Turtle was found by a local fisherman on the Bay side of Boca Chica Bridge. Braided fishing line was wrapped around the front right flipper extending back around the shell. The line had not cut into the muscle and after physical therapy, the flipper was usable.
The rear marginal scutes were damaged and several pieces had to be surgically removed to ensure the ragged cut edges would not catch on anything.
Sanchez (also know as Salty) was taken to Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas National Park aboard the “Yankee Freedom II” and released. This is a shallow reef area and a protected “NO Take” zone so there will not be any chance of encountering fishing line again.
Transferred from Sea World in February of 2000, Tam, a Green sea turtle, suffered a boat hit. The boat hit left Tam as a permanent floater, a “bubble-butt”, and she now has a lead weight fiberglassed to her carapace. She now swims effortlessly in our 100,000-gallon pool and loves to eat… maybe a little too much as she is slightly overweight! Oh, Tam.
UPDATE 09/01/2010
Tam is enjoying her new home at The Underwater Adventures Aquarium!
Another juvenile Green sea turtle, Zone, was originally rescued by Sea World on July 22, 2002. He was found with lacerations on his plastron (his bottom shell) and was extremely emaciated as well. After a lengthy rehabilitation, Zone was released.
However, on March 19, 2005, Zone was found again near Melbourne Beach,
Oct 15, 2007
KUMQUAT JONES a sub adult Loggerhead Sea Turtle was rescued in Florida Bay, just South of the Arsniker Keys. The turtle was found floating and X-rays reveled an intestinal impaction that was caused by eating sponges. Loggerheads typically feed on conch and crustaceans such as lobsters and crabs. There were flipper tags present which had been attached by the FWC during one of their studies where turtles are captured, given a physical, tagged and released.
The impaction was cleared and the turtle was released off of the Seven Mile Bridge in Marathon.
Participating in the release was Hunter Reno who is the star of the TV Series “Wild Florida” (WPBT – PBS Miami). Hunter was visiting the Turtle Hospital, doing some filming for an episode about Florida’s Sea Turtles. The episode aired in February 2008.
Oct 14, 2007
SHENAYNAY a juvenile Green Sea Turtle was admitted in June 2007, due to having part of a fish hook in her throat. (well meaning fishermen had attempted to remove the hook but the turtle ended up swallowing a portion of it). Dr Doug Mader and staff used an endoscope and long “grabbers” to address the problem.
After treatment with antibiotics, vitamins and being well fed, Shenaynay was released in the Gulf, approximately 12 miles North of Marathon.
Mimi is a green sea turtle who arrived at the Turtle Hospital on November 30, 2005. Mimi came in with numerous fibropapilloma tumors on her neck and shoulders. Unfortunately, Mimi’s tumors returned and a second surgery was performed on March 22, 2006.
UPDATE: A third surgery was required to remove additional regrowths on August 22, 2006. Mimi is now recovering in the main tank, and will remain at the hospital for one year.
UPDATE: Mimi was released on October 5, 2007 in the Gulf, about 12 miles North of Marathon.
Kent is a sub-adult Green sea turtle. Kent is one of the most stubborn turtles we have right now. Kent was found floating rear-end-up in Indian River Lagoon (Brevard County) on May 2nd, 2007. Kent was brought to the Miami Seaquarium because he was apparently suffering injuries from a boat hit. While Kent was in rehab, he developed fibropapilloma tumors. Very few facilities nationwide treat fibropapilloma, so Kent was transfered to the Turtle Hospital on August 19th, 2007.
UPDATE: Kent has undergone surgery to remove the tumors and is recovering in his own private tank where we can keep a close eye on him. We are monitoring his food intake and checking him periodically for regrowths. Kent is expected to make a full recovery and will thankfully be released back into the ocean soon!