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).
Update Oct 28, 2008
Lisa was back in surgery today to remove the remaining pap tumors. This was her third surgery and should be the last. All turtles that have had fibropapilloma are kept for one year prior to release. This ensures that if there is any re-growth, it can be removed.
Dr Doug Mader and staff using a laser to remove tumors.
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) 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.
Update Sept 5, 2008
Johnny is making remarkable progress. He is eating on his own and the water level in his tank has been raised, allowing him to stay submerged and come up for air. The wounds to the head, neck and front flippers are healing nicely helped by the daily cleaning. Johnny remains active alert and strong . Staff is optimistic for recovery.
Update Sept 24, 2008
Johnny’s wounds have healed and blood work from 2 weeks ago was normal. A second blood evaluation is scheduled and if all parameters are within limits, he will be ready for release. This is an incredible success story, picking up a turtle that had been chopped up with a machete to being able to put him back into the ocean to continue his life.
Update Oct 4, 2008
Johnny’s blood results have come back clean. A “Public Release” is being organized to allow members of the community and those directly involved with the rescue and rehabilitation, to attend his release. The release is tentatively scheduled for Oct 14, 2008 and the location is being planned at the West end of the Seven Mile Bridge (this is where Johnny was rescued after the machete attach.) A press release and web site article will be posted as soon as plans are finalized.
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).
Update June 26th, 2009
Lisa continued to have Fibropapilloma regrowth’s. This is commonly an indication that the patient has internal tumors. Currently, there is no treatment for internal tumors. Fibropapilloma tumors are highly vascular and typically attack the vital organs including the heart, liver and kidneys. One last endoscope proved that Lisa was infected internally and she was humanely euthanized. We are deeply saddened by the loss of this very sweet turtle, but we are sure she lived a happy life while here with us at The Turtle Hospital.