Final Disposition
Released March 29, 2007 from Lido Beach
4/27 This large adult male loggerhead was found floating in the surf on Casey Key. Turtle is anorexic and lethargic. It has been started on fluids and antibiotics.
5/2 Turtle seems somewhat more responsive. Has been placed in shallow water with flotation.
5/12 Turtle is still unable to swim or eat. We are giving gruel daily via stomach tube. Planning to do gastroscopy and bronchoscopy next week if not better by then.
5/21 Bronchoscopy revealed no problem with the lungs, but gastroscopy showed a severe enteritis in duodenum. Medication has been changed and turtle is still receiving gruel each day. Turtle seems stronger the last few days.
5/29 Still having to tube feed, but seems stronger. Enteritis is better.
6/12 Not much change lately. Still being tube fed.
6/21 No change or improvement evident except that white count has come down.
7/7 Still very little change. Continuing to tube feed.
7/18 Turtle seems stronger and is beginning to raise its head to breathe. Gaining weight from tube feeding.
7/24 Very slow improvement.
8/9 Turtle is now able to swim around the tank about 4 hours per day. Continuing to slowly improve.
8/29 Turtle is finally able to swim some, so is no longer on a pad for flotation. Has not yet begun to eat, but is now showing some interest in food.
9/3 Turtle is now staying in deeper water 24 hours per day. Still not eating, however.
9/6 More of the same.
9/8 Turtle has been moved to a larger tank with deep water and is receiving physical therapy. Turtle is now showing more interest in food and may be eating soon.
9/16 Turtle is no longer being tubed, but is now being force-fed. Physical therapy seems to be improving the jaw tone.
9/22 Continuing to do very well, but still being force-fed.
10/1 More of the same.
10/7 Doing well but still not eating.
10/18 More of the same.
10/28 Slightly more use of the jaw, but still not eating.
11/15 Turtle is currently undergoing cold laser therapy to stimulate the jaw muscles. We hope to see some change in the next few weeks.
11/28 Very little change despite new treatment.
12/8 No change. Still being force-fed.
12/14 More of the same.
1/3/07 Still no change.
1/7 Turtle ate its first squid on its own today.
1/12 Today, for the first time, the turtle ate almost an entire meal on its own. That is over 8 months before eating on its own!!!
1/15 Turtle is now eating three meals per day on its own.
1/18 Appetite is now excellent and turtle is doing VERY well.
1/24 Appetite continues to be great.
1/31 Turtle continues to eat very well.
2/28 Turtle is gaining weight and becoming more active. May be releasable in a month or so.
3/15 Showing some reproductive behavior, which is a very good sign as it is almost mating time in the wild.
3/21 Turtle has been approved for release next week.
3/29 King was released this morning from Lido Beach. More than a few people were very sad to see him leave, but all are happy that the turtle is now back HOME in the Gulf of Mexico. A satellite transmitter was attached for tracking. Go to http://www.seaturtle.org/tracking/?project_id=141&dyn=1163787985 to check on his progress.