Beam

Green (Chelonia mydas)

(ST11022)

Age Class Juvenile
Gender Unknown
Date Stranded March 20, 2011
Location of Stranding Satellite Beach in Brevard County
Date of Arrival March 21, 2011
Number of Days of Care 1016 days

Final Disposition

Deemed non-releaseable and now living at the Idaho Aquarium

frontal view of injured sea turtle named bean being measured  rear view of injured sea turtle named bean being measured 
3/22 Beam was transferred to Mote by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The turtle was very weak and suffers from a crushed rear shell. The turtle might not have rear flipper mobility. Beam was given fluids and put in shallow water overnight. 4/3 Beam has started to eat and get stronger. The turtle seems to have a floating issue and very minimal movement of the rear flippers.  4/25 Using cement and zip ties, veterinary staff pulled Beam's shell back together. The hope is that once the shell heals and closes, the turtle will be able to dive once again. 5/18 Beam continues to do well and is now in deeper water. The turtle remains on the bottom of the tank, however the end of the shell remains slightly elevated. 6/2 Beam contines to eat well and heal, however the rear carapace still sits higher in the water. 6/13 Beam has continued to eat well and is swimming to the bottom of the medical pool, however the rear of the turtle's carapace still sits higher in the water. 7/31 The turtle has started floating more often. The turtle's carapace fracture that it was brought in for remains an issue. We have started speaking with Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission — the regulatory agency that oversees management of sea turtles in Florida — about the possibilities for releasing this turtle. 8/22 This animal has been deemed nonrelesable but its wounds need to heal before transfer to another institution. 9/12 Beam is being trained to respond to a clicker, which will help prepare the turtle for a new home, and is responding well. Wound is continuing to heal. We will begin looking for a new permanent home for Beam. 10/10 Animal continues to eat well, and FWC continues to look for a permentant home for Beam. 11/29 Beam was moved into a larger and deeper tank at Mote to see how the turtle would tolerate this type of environment.
Shortly after being deemed non-releasable, Beam was moved into an exhibit tank where our experienced sea turtle care and training staff provided care. This allowed Beam to get used to being around visitors and caregivers.

Today, Mote is happy to announce that Beam has found a permanent homeat the Idaho Aquarium in Boise.  After being in Mote care for more than a year and a half, we are confident that Beam will serve as a great ambassador for the species and help share the plight of sea turtles with all of the Idaho Aquarium guests! Beam will be missed, but we're glad he found a great new home!		 sea turtle swimming

 

Happening at Mote

Fin Fact

Spotted eagle rays are big, beautiful fish related to sharks. To understand where these rays swim and the different threats they might encounter, Mote scientists co-authored the first multiyear, peer-reviewed research paper on the large-scale movements of spotted eagle rays in U.S. waters.

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