Ordinarily, it takes a considerable amount of effort to rescue a sick or injured sea turtle. Sick turtles are usually found floating out in the ocean by boaters and are then rescued and brought to the Turtle Hospital for treatment. Over the years, thousands of turtles have been rescued in this fashion, rehabilitated and then released. Well, the word must have gotten out that sick sea turtles qualify for free medical care at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon because for the first time in our history a sick turtle actually CAME TO US!
On Sunday morning, March 29th, a young Loggerhead sea turtle was spotted in the harbor behind our facility by one of our staff. It is not very common to see a turtle in the harbor and we all gathered to look. She appeared to be emaciated and had large barnacles on her carapace, which are an indication that the turtle is sick. Two dinghies were deployed and we waited with nets to catch her the next time she surfaced. After 45 tedious minutes of waiting at the ready, she finally surfaced and was able to be pulled on board.
Kincaid, as she was named, was checked out and her blood work has revealed that she is septic, which basically means she is suffering an infection of the blood stream. After a few weeks of antibiotics and TLC, she should be able to be released — fifty feet from her current rehab pool!
This was by far the easiest rescue to date! If there was ever a case for evolution… this would seem to be evidence like no other – a sick animal arriving at the hospital on its own! Of course, we could only wish this were true.
Be sure to visit the site again to see how she’s doing, or stop in to see her and the 43 other turtle patients here at the Hospital! Call 305-743-2552 for information.
Sydney, a sub-adult Loggerhead, was brought to the Hospital last November after being spotted by helicopter during the World Championship superboat races off
She was transported via
A Loggerhead sea turtle, now named Anoosh, was found floating near John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park by park manager Pat Wells. Upon examination, it was found that Anoosh is suffering from an intestinal impaction and a body cavity infection. She will receive Metamucil and mineral oil for the impaction and antibiotics should take care of the infection.
Anoosh is very alert and active. She’s eating well and is expected to make a full recovery. We expect to be sending her home in a matter of weeks.
Stand Up for Animals, a non-profit organization dedicated to the welfare of abused or unwanted animals in the Florida Keys, held their annual Animal Heroes of the Keys Awards Banquet on March 12th. Our own Margie Smitch was one of the honorees. Margie received the Volunteer of the Year Award for her work here at the Turtle Hospital. Margie and her husband, Curt, reside in Washington state and live in Marathon for several months out of the year. She has graciously devoted countless hours to the Hospital over the last three years and our operation would not be the same without her. We would like to congratulate Margie and express our everlasting gratitude for her service.
Last Wednesday, Monay the Loggerhead was sent home from the beach at Bahia Honda State Park, close to where she was rescued last December. She was seen off by a crowd of well over 100 people! Monay arrived at the Hospital suffering from a body cavity infection. After a few months of antibiotics and a lot of squid, she was ready to hit the waves again.
Each turtle that leaves our facility is tagged for future identification — two flipper tags and a microchip (same as with dogs and cats). With some luck we hope to see Monay laying eggs some time in the future!
Our thanks to Monay Markey who rescued the turtle, Bahia Honda State Park, and all who came out to see her off!
Six turtles underwent surgery yesterday at The Turtle Hospital. The raucous menagerie included four juvenile Green sea turtles, an adult Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle, and a sub-adult Loggerhead sea turtle. Green turtles Coraline, Dre, and Logan were examined for internal fibropapilloma tumors and had external tumors removed; another Green, Diana, underwent a risky procedure to remove fishing line from her intestine; a Kemp’s Ridley named Snoop had a partial flipper amputation; and Loggerhead Goulet had his lungs inspected for pneumonia. Dr. Doug Mader began the marathon surgery session early in the morning and it lasted late into the afternoon. Unfortunately, Coraline was found to have internal tumors, but the other turtles did great and are currently recovering in the rehab enclosure.
Above: Administrator Ryan Butts and Dr. Doug Mader perform an endoscopy on Dre, a Green sea turtle with fibropapilloma. When an endoscopy is preformed, a small video camera is inserted into the hip area from which the body cavity can be inspected. If no internal tumors are found, Dr. Mader will begin removing external tumors.
Above: Dr. Mader inspects Goulet’s lungs for signs of pneumonia. Goulet was found with fishing line around his neck which was tethered to a lobster trap buoy line underwater. This apparently caused Goulet to inhale water and thereby contract pneumonia.
Above: Diana, a small Green sea turtle, underwent a procedure of last resort to remove fishing line from her intestines. Once ingested, fishing line is almost impossible to pass, and is almost always fatal. After several weeks of laxatives and gentle encouragement, the fishing line showed no sign of passing. In order to save this little turtle’s life, Dr. Mader made a small incision at the hip and actually brought the intestines out of the body cavity in order to then remove the line from five different points. It is a very risky procedure, but Diana is recovering and is alert and active.
Reports of sick or injured sea turtles come in to the FWC and Turtle Hospital from a variety of different channels. One of the most consistent and helpful groups are the Charter Boat Captains. These are individuals that spend a lot of time on the water, are concerned about wildlife resources and are always very willing to help with turtles. In the past two days, two captains from opposite ends of the Keys have assisted with rescuing turtles.
Captain Anne Baxter of Easy Adventures Boat Tours was returning with clients when she spotted a large Loggerhead Sea Turtle on a sandbar by Bud and Marys Marine. She pulled the boat on to the sandbar and was able to determine the turtle was alive (blink response when a hand was moved near the eyes). Anne immediately contacted the FWC who in turn called the Turtle Hospital. Staff contacted Anne directly and she agreed to take our personnel out in her boat to retrieve the turtle. The 210 pound turtle was lifted to the transom of Anne’s boat and brought back to Wide World Sportsman, in Islamorada (where Anne is based out of). Helpful spectators assisted moving the turtle by stretcher into the ambulance. Anne had delayed a charter and spent her own time and fuel to help the turtle!! Thanks.
The next day, the Turtle Hospital received a call from Stephen Lamp of Dream Catchers Charters of Key West. Stephen was out with clients, fishing about 20 miles west of Key West and found an adult male Green Sea Turtle with both front flippers entangled in trap line. The turtle was in a current and struggling to surface to breath. After authorization, Stephen and his clients were able to get the 180 pound turtle on to the boat and covered with a wet towel. The Turtle Hospital dispatched the ambulance to Stock Island and met up with Stephen at the Sunset Marina (were Stephen is based out of). Once again, helpful spectators assisted moving the turtle from the docks into the ambulance. Stephen and his clients gave up time fishing to help rescue a turtle. Thanks!!