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The Turtle Hospital
(Hidden Harbor Marine Environmental Project, Inc.) |
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Since 1986, the Turtle Hospital has released an estimated 750 sea turtles back to the ocean. In 2004 the Turtle Hospital released a total of 22 sea turtles back in to the wild. Here are pictures of just a few of those special turtles from 2004 through November 2005. |
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Poseidon Poseidon, a sub-adult Loggerhead Sea Turtle was rescued by a small boy in Islamorada, Florida on May 22, 2005. The small boy was out with his family on their boat when he spotted a turtle that needed help. He asked his dad to stop. The little boy had recognized the fact that Poseidon needed humans help because of the school field trip he had taken to The Turtle Hospital in the past. He had learned that a sick and injured sea turtle is one that floats on the surface and is unable to dive. The father called Fish and Wildlife officers and a rescue began. Poseidon had been hit by two different boat propellers across his shell. He also had a fishing hook embedded in his upper jaw. Under anesthesia, the hook was removed. Poseidon is receiving antibiotic, massage and physical therapy for his injuries. The main concern for Poseidon is that his rear flippers do not work due to damage to his spinal cord. UPDATE: Posiedon's injuries from the boat have healed very well though he is still not able to use his rear flippers. UPDATE: Poseidon was released Dec 27, 2005.
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Bonnie A Loggerhead sea turtle was rescued July 25, 2005 oceanside Marathon, Florida. Bonnie had ingested a large hook which now was lodged in the side of her mouth. Under sedation, the hook was gently removed. UPDATE: Bonnie was able to return back to the wild on October 25, 2005. Bonnie was part of six other Loggerheads that were released off of Pigeon Key, Florida post Hurricane Wilma.
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Starburst A very luck Sub Adult Loggerhead Sea Turtle was rescued by Diana Tomasi from Key Largo, Florida in July of 2005. Starburst had sustained a large boat strike to his head and shell area. After several months of packing the head injury with sugar and tube feeding Starburst began to show signs of healing. Once his interest in food returned, Starburst wanted to eat everything in sight. UPDATE: Starburst was returned to the wild as part of six other Loggerhead sea turtles that were released off of Pigeon Key, Florida on October 25, 2005.
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Starthrower Starthrower, a juvenile Green Sea Turtle was rescued on April 30, 2005 after being struck by a boat. The propeller caused severe damage to Starthrower's left side of her head, causing her to lose vison in her left eye. Boat injuries such as these often result in the turtle's not having much of an appetite, after many months of tube feeding Starthrower began eating on her own. UPDATE: Starthrower was released 13 miles offshore of Marathon, Florida on October 20, 2005. With Hurricane Wilma awaiting in the midst...turtle staff and volunteers placed a very special turtle back in to the wild. 
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Billy Billy, a juvenile Green Sea Turtle was rescued March 06, 2005 from Key Largo. Not only was Billy affected by Fibropapilloma growths but he had been entangled in a fishing buoy. The buoy line constricted blood flow to Billy's flipper. The fibropapilloma and Billy's flipper have been removed. Billy is demonstrating the ability to swim with only three flippers in the side pool of the facility. UPDATE: Billy has been moved to the large main pool area. He continues to prove to us all that he will be okay back in the wild with only three flippers. Billy has learned to compensate with his left rear flipper due to the amputation of the right front flipper. UPDATE: Billy was released along with seven other sea turtle companions at John Sawyer Bank. John Sawyer Banks are located a few miles off of Marathon, in the Florida Bay on October 27, 2005.
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Samantha Samantha, a Loggerhead Sea Turtle was rescued from Smathers Beach in Key West on May 21, 2005 by Save-A-Turtle member Russ Draper. Samantha had been found in three feet of water and covered in a lot of sand. Samantha's x-rays showed an intestinal impaction. Samantha's fecal samples demonstrated why she had such an upset stomach….she had eaten two pounds of sea urchins. Samantha has greatly improved over the last few weeks. Check out her before and after photos. UPDATE: Samantha has been feeding well on her two meals a day of whole squid. Samantha no longer floats and is able to be in a full tank of water. Look for Samantha to be released before the end of the year. UPDATE: Released October 25, 2005 along with six other sea turtle companions from Pigeon Key, Florida.
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Oscar Oscar, a post-hatchling Hawksbill Sea Turtle, was rescued on May 10, 2005 by four teenagers underneath the Vaca Cut Bridge in Marathon, Florida. The teenagers had been staying at the Hidden Harbor Motel and had seen the hospital's guided educational experience. From the program they recognized that Oscar needed some attention. Oscar was very lethargic and was floating on the surface. After some TLC, Oscar has bounced back to being a typical one year sea turtle…swim, swim, swim, eat, eat, eat, eat, rest, rest, rest, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, rest, rest, rest,……… UPDATE: Oscar was released by Fish and Wildlife officer Tom Wilmers along with two other Hawksbill companions on November 4, 2005 in the Content Keys.
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Asa Green Sea Turtle rescued February 18, 2005 from the Indian River Lagoon, Florida. ASA has Fibropapilloma. Using the endoscope, it was determined that Asa is a female and has no internal Fibropapilloma. She will undergo laser surgery to remove the fibropapilloma growths over the next few weeks. UPDATE: Received surgery for fibropapilloma on February 24, 2005 but still requires one more surgery due to the amount of growths on her soft tissue. UPDATE: Asa received her last surgery for fibropapilloma on May 26, 2005. All lesions have been removed and have healed wonderfully. She is now swimming in the side pool of the 100, 000 gallon salt water pool. Asa will be ready for release as long as no re-growth occurs of the fibropapilloma. UPDATE: Asa was released along with seven other sea turtle companions at John Sawyer Bank. John Sawyer Banks are located a few miles off of Marathon, in the Florida Bay on October 27, 2005.
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Lola Lola was also rescued from North Key Largo on December 03, 2004. Lola had been entangled in monofilament on front flippers, ingested monofilament, and required surgery to remove fibropapilloma from his eye. The photo of Lola demonstrates how grasses and algaes start to grow on turtles that are slow moving and floating on the surface. UPDATE: Lola was released along with seven other sea turtle companions at John Sawyer Bank. John Sawyer Banks are located a few miles off of Marathon, in the Florida Bay on October 27, 2005.
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Hatchlings Hatchlings----it is that time of the year for the hospital. In the last two weeks we have received 32 Loggerhead hatchlings. Seven of which were disorientations…hatchlings which headed towards an alternate light source (not the moon) and the other hatchlings were found caught in the bottom of their nests entangled in the roots and grasses. They will spend about a month or so at the hospital. Once they are eating, swimming and diving the hatchlings will be released back to the wild. UPDATE: Eighty five sea turtle hatchlings were released into a sargassum weed line eight and half miles offshore marathon this past week. These three week old turtles were scheduled to be released last week but hurricane Rita's glancing blow to the keys delayed their trip. The founder and director of The Turtle Hospital, Richie Moretti, first took a trip with Brian Hall of Coral Reef Air Tours during Brian's morning radio show "fish eye in the sky". This radio show locates weed lines for the fishing enthusiasts of the Keys. But on this particular day Mr. Hall and Mr. Moretti were looking for a weed line to protect and feed the hatchlings. The weed line was spotted not to far off shore and Mr. Moretti was able to return to the ground where the Coast Guard of Marathon was awaiting to take the precious cargo back to the ocean.
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Petrie Petrie, a sub-adult Loggerhead Sea Turtle was rescued from the St. Lucie, Florida on May 18, 2005 from the power plant intake canal. Petrie had been floating for a long time and had numerous barnacles covering his shell. These turtles that are so severely covered by barnacles are termed "barnacle bill" turtles. It took volunteers several hours to remove all the barnacles from Petrie's shell. UPDATE: Petrie was released on September 23, 2005 right after Blue Moon from the same beach area. Pigeon Key provided the perfect backdrop for both turtle releases. Check out the old seven mile bridge in the background.
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Aussie Aussie, a large Green Sea Turtle has made a stop at the hospital this past spring for the treatment of an intestinal impaction. (Constipation) Aussie arrived at the Hospital February 25, 2005. Aussie weighs 220 pounds and will reach 500 pounds at full growth. Aussie was floating and unable to dive for her food. She is now able to dive and rests completely at the bottom of her tank. Release will be set for September 2005. UPDATE: Aussie made her way back into the ocean on August 22, 2005 with the assistance of the Marathon Coast Guard.
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Blue Moon Blue Moon, a mature Loggerhead Sea Turtle was rescued April 07, 2005 from a canal in Duck Key, Florida. Blue Moon was unable to dive due to an intestinal impaction. The main treatment of an intestinal impaction includes hydrating the turtle with fluids and using Metamucil in squid. UPDATE: Blue Moon was released September 23, 2005 from the beach of Pigeon Key, Florida. The Turtle Hospital volunteers were all present to send Blue Moon on her way after a short ambulance ride across the old seven mile bridge.
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Tommy Turtle Tommy Turtle, a sub adult, Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle was rescued on April 20, 2005 after being entangled in a plastic debris. The debris had been wrapped around both his front flippers and rear flipper. The debris also kept Tommy from diving for his food so he was very under weight on arrival at the hospital. Tommy's flippers all seem to be working fine now and he just needs to put on a few more pounds prior to his release. UPDATE: Tommy turtle was released on September 1, 2005 during a film production for PBS with Fabian Cousteau. Mr. Cousteau was extremely excited to see Tommy returned to the wild. The Gulf Stream provided the perfect spot for Tommy to re-enter the wild turtle realm.
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Joe Brock "Joe Brock" a Loggerhead Sea turtle who was rescued during the May 2005 Grand Prix Offshore Powerboat races is making a speedy recovery at The Turtle Hospital. Joe was spotted floating and unable to dive along the powerboat race course. Powerboat fans, Fish and Wildlife Officers and the Coast Guard were all involved in getting Joe Brock back to the Hospital Marina. Once at the Hospital it was determined through x-ray's that Joe had an intestinal impaction...very similar to constipation. Over the past few months Joe has regained the ability to dive and is able to rest on the bottom of his tank. He will be ready for release in late August. The Turtle Hospital would like to thank all those involved in Joe Brock's rescue and we would like to encourage anyone who spots a sick and injured sea turtle to call 1-888-404-FWCC. UPDATE: Joe Brock was release August 10, 2005 into Florida Bay with Jason Kohler from The Marathon Weekly newspaper, Corinne Rose the Hospital's Sea Turtle Rehab Specialist, Richie Moretti, the director of the Hospital, and summer volunteer Elaine Rindfuss.
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Val Loggerhead Sea Turtle rescued February 16, 2005 from Juno Beach, Florida. Val had ingested three fishing hooks and had also been attacked by a shark. Val has a broken left front flipper due to the shark attack. Val had endoscopic surgery to remove the fish hooks and continues to show progress. UPDATE: The count down has begun for the release of Val. The front left flipper has healed from the shark attack better then we had expected. UPDATE: Val was released July 26 in Florida bay with the help of The Turtle Hospital's Turtle Rehab Specialist Corinne Rose, summer intern Callie Walker and summer volunteer Elaine Rindfuss.
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OffDuty Loggerhead Sea Turtle rescued February 21, 2004 from Key Largo, Florida. OffDuty was found floating with a few barnacles attached to his shell. X-rays determined that OffDuty had an intestinal impaction. With some hydration through subcutaneous fluids and the use of Metamucil, OffDuty should be feeling a lot better soon. UPDATE: OffDuty was released June 03, 2005
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Michael Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles are critically endangered and can be found in the waters of the Keys occasionally. "Michael" was rescued August 23, 2004. The beautiful charcoal grey turtle had a mesh plastic bag entangled on his right front flipper and rear left flipper. After removing the debris, he began using the flippers and no amputation was needed of either flipper, though he will forever have scars. Michael is gaining some weight and will be ready for release shortly. UPDATE: Michael's release is schedule for the last part of April. Watch here for more updates and photos. UPDATE: Michael was released into the Gulf Stream off of Sombrero Reef, Marathon, Florida on April 25, 2005. Pete and Amy of Tilden's Dive shop had the opportunity to release Michael back to the wild. Pete and Amy had rescued Michael in August of 2004. Janice Lampkins and Ryan MClellan (volunteers of the Turtle Hospital) were present on the release as well.
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Hawkeye A juvenile Hawksbill sea turtle was found entangled in plastic debris on July 27, 2004. As a result Hawkeye's left rear flipper was amputated. Hawkeye is swimming well with the loss of his rear flipper. UPDATE: Released on March 30, 2005 in the Dry Tortugas off of Key West, Florida.
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Squirt Squirt is a post hatchling Hawksbill Sea Turtle who arrived at the Turtle Hospital 12/5/3. He was severely underweight and had been floating. Squirt took to eating squid bits and shrimp quite quickly and has gained weight. UPDATE: Released on March 30, 2005 in the Dry Tortugas off of Key West, Florida. |
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Jersey Girl A sub-adult Loggerhead sea turtle was found floating in Key Largo on Memorial Day long weekend 2004. Jersey Girl had a severe infection that was affecting her liver and pancreas. After high doses of antibiotics and a lot of TLC, Jersey Girl is on her way to recovery. UPDATE: Jersey Girl has improved significantly over the last few months. She has graduated to an 800 gallon salt water tank and was eating up to 30 squid a day to gain back all the weight she had lost during her illness. UPDATE: Jersey Girl was released on February 22, 2005 along the seven mile bridge. This allowed Jersey Girl to choose the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Ocean.
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Prop Prop, a juvenile Green Sea Turtle, was injured when a boat hit his head and the propeller sliced through his shell on May 26, 2004. The treatment for a clean cut through the shell is antibiotics, and a plastic bandage called Tegaderm. Prop will soon be released with only a V-shaped scar indicating his brush with humans. UPDATE: The area of injury to the shell is healing very well. Prop is swimming in an 800 gallon salt water tank and demonstrating everyday that she is almost ready to go back to the wild. UPDATE: Prop was released February 20, 2005 several miles offshore of Marathon, Florida.
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Tommy UPDATE: Tommy was released February 20, 2005 several miles offshore of Marathon, Florida.
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Trek UPDATE: Trek was released February 20, 2005 several miles offshore of Marathon, Florida.
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Hope Hope is a subadult Hawksbill arriving at the hospital on 5/2/04. Hope was found floating in the Florida Bay. She was unable to dive. Her X-ray showed that she had an intestinal impaction. Hope will receive antibiotics, fluids for hydration and vitamins. She will also receive Metamucil in her squid. UPDATE: As of August 31, 2004: Hope is no longer floating, is off of antibiotics, and has been eating and catching her own crabs and shrimps. She is awaiting weight gain prior to release. UPDATE: Hope was released on Christmas Eve 2004 by founder of Turtle Hospital Richie Moretti, and local newspaper reporter Vali Finney |
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Moses A sub- adult Loggerhead sea turtle had been floating under the seven mile bridge when some fishermen spotted her on June 22, 2004. Moses left front flipper had been entangled in a rope that was connected to a chum bag which was attached to a yellow buoy. Moses was lucky to be found before severe damage occurred to the flipper. Once the rope was cut from the flipper blood circulation returned. With massage and physical therapy to the injured flipper Moses was soon swimming with the use of the left front flipper again. UPDATE: Moses was released on December 09,2004 during a film production with Outdoor Life network |
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Sigsbee A Loggerhead sea turtle arrived January 04, 2004 from Sigsbee Naval base in Key West. Sigsbee also has a lung infection or abscess that we will be watching carefully. UPDATE: Sigsbee was released on November 25, 2005 Friends, Family, Staff and volunteers of the Turtle Hospital gathered for Thanksgiving to release Sigsbee by the seven mile bridge, Marathon, Florida. |
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Cary This Loggerhead sea turtle was unable to dive to the bottom. She kept bobbing back to the surface in an uninhabited canal in North Key Largo on January 01, 2004. Without being able to dive below the surface Cary had not eaten in a long time. Cary was extremely underweight and lethargic. By doing an X-ray we were able to determine that Cary had an intestinal impaction. Therefore, fecal matter was not being excreted. When there is a build up of fecal matter in the intestine gas is formed from bacteria and this is what makes the turtle float. Cary will be staying with us for 4-6 months. During this time, Cary will receive fluids to hydrate, antibiotics, and Metamucil or Beano will be added to her food. UPDATE: Cary was released by the seven mile bridge in Marathon, Florida on June 08, 2004 after a full recover from an intestinal impaction. |
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Penny A Loggerhead sea turtle arrived December 29,2003 from John Pennacamp State Park in Key Largo. UPDATE: After recovering at The Turtle Hospital from an intestinal impaction Penny was released by the Pigeon Key, Marathon, Florida on June 24, 2004. |
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Puli Puli is a green sea turtle who arrived at the Turtle Hospital on 2.22.03 for fibropapilloma surgery. Puli had her last surgery to remove all of her fibropapilloma tumors in May of 2003. After staying at the hospital for one year post surgery she will be released. Puli has been chosen as a turtle for placement of a satellite transmission tag when she is released. Watch for an update on Puli in the near future. UPDATE: Released on July 17, 2004 where she was found St. Lucie, Florida. Puli had a satellite transmission tag placed on her. With this tag the University of Central Florida will be able to track Puli's movement up and down the East Coast of Florida.  |
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Cargo A Loggerhead sea turtle who was found in the Atlantic Ocean on November 03, 2003 dragging about 200 pounds of Cargo netting on his rear flippers. The right rear flipper had to be amputated due to the circulation being cut off to the limb. Cargo is learning how to steer with only one rear flipper and will be released in approximately two months. Sea turtles do just fine with only three flippers. RELEASED 03.06.04 near the seven mile bridge in Marathon, Florida by The Turtle Hospital Director Richie Moretti, The Turtle Hospital Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Specialist Corinne Rose and fitness promoters from Miami. |
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Cori A Loggerhead Sea Turtle who had an intestinal impaction of sponges. Normally, Loggerheads would eat Lobster, conch, and other crustaceans. RELEASED 01.2004 - Cori spent four months at the Turtle Hospital and was released by the hospitals volunteers during a beautiful sunset and full moon in January. |
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Cracker A Loggerhead sea turtle who arrived December 31, 2003. Cracker was named for Firecrackers on New Year's Eve. RELEASED 05.03.04 near the seven mile bridge in Marathon, Florida, by Monroe County Sheriff's Department Marine officer Harry Boyden, and The Turtle Hospital's Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Specialist Corinne Rose. |
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Janha A 250 pound Green Sea Turtle who was flown to the Turtle Hospital on September 10, 2003 from St. Croix after she was attacked by feral dogs while she was nesting. This attack caused severe trauma to her head. Janha has healed well although she has lost both of her eyes. TRANSFERRED to www.theaterofthesea.com 01.14.04 where she will live the rest of her life in human care. |
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