Bebo

Green (Chelonia mydas)

(ST0010 TLM000506-01)

Age Class	Subadult
Gender	Unknown
Date Stranded	March 5, 2000
Location of Stranding	Port Manatee, Florida
Date of Arrival	March 5, 2000
Number of Days of Care	107

Final Disposition

Bebo was released off Anna Maria Island on August 9, 2000

Bebo was found near Port Manatee entangled in the line of a marker buoy. The line had completely encircled the right front flipper and had cut down to the bone. The line had also encircled the left front flipper but had not cut so deep. There was also a small laceration on Bebo's neck from the line. At first, it was thought that the right front flipper might have to be amputated but that proved unnecessary. The line was removed, the wounds were cleaned and were treated topically. Bebo was on systemic antibiotics for a period as well. The wounds completely healed and Bebo was released into the wild on 9 August 2000.

Lessons: The wounds that occur like this may appear very severe, but will heal fairly quickly as long as the blood supply is not disrupted to the flipper.