Final Disposition
Released July 17, 2007 from Anclote Key near Tarpon Springs
Turtle on arrival.
8/27 Turtle was found at Crystal River Power Plant. It has fibropapillomatosis (tumors on skin) and had several traumatic injuries, including a missing rear flipper and a fractured carapace, and has severe blood loss anemia. Treatment has been initiated. Radiographs did not reveal any internal tumors.
8/30 Turtle began eating yesterday afternoon and is now in shallow water. Anemia is beginning to resolve.
8/31 Turtle has a good appetite and is beginning to swim some. Anemia is continuing to improve.
9/3 Anemia is much better, so will probably have surgery later this week. Appetite is great, eating almost everything offered to it.
9/6 Doing better every day.
9/13 Turtle had surgery yesterday to remove largest tumors and amputate injured flipper with bones exposed. Surgery went very well and turtle is eating already this morning.
9/16 Surgical sites appear to be healing very well. Turtle’s appetite and behavior are excellent.
9/22 Continuing to do very well. Sutures removed.
9/25 Doing very well.
10/1 Surgery sites are almost completely healed. Appetite continues to be excellent and turtle is gaining weight.
10/7 Continued improvement.
10/18 Remaining tumors have now been removed and carapace fracture continues to heal well.
10/28 Carapace injury is looking very much improved. Some of flipper wounds are not yet healed, but are healing.
11/28 Wounds are almost completely healed at this point in time and turtle is doing very well.
12/8 Continuing to do very well.
12/14 Still doing very well.
1/3/07 Continuing to do very well. Gaining weight and carapace injury is almost healed.
1/18 Turtle continues doing very well.
1/31 More of the same.
2/28 Continuing to do well.
3/29 Still doing well.
4/16 Continues to do well.
4/27 Turtle has been put on a diet, due to excess weight gain.
5/23 Turtle is continuing to do well. May be ready for release in another month or so.
6/1 Continuing to do well.
7/12 Turtle has been approved for release in the next week.
7/17 Turtle was released this morning from outside Anclote Key, north of Tarpon Springs, Florida. Release went very well.