Turtle upon arrival

3/7 The turtle was found on the beach near Anastasia State Recreation Area (1/2 mile south of St. Augustine).  The turtle was lethargic and had many large barnacles on its carapace. The animal appears to be a chronic cold stress animal with shell damage. 3/8 Turtle still very weak. Once barnacles were removed, an old injury was discovered. Shell has multiple areas of shell damage and keratin exfoliation.  3/13  Turtle is eating very well.  3/17  Turtle continues to improve. 4/20 Turtle is doing well — eating and gaining weight — and responding to medications. 5/11 Turtle is showing signs of anemia and being treated. Remains alert, active and is gaining weight. 6/21 The turtle has been moved to a larger tank in preparation for release. The larger tank will help build muscle strength and give the turtle more room to dive. 7/6 Tagged turtle on Sunday in preparation for a release. 7/11 Turtle not using front left flipper as of this morning will take radiographs. 7/12 Turtle has a fracture of the left humerus. Release on hold until fracture can heal. 8/7 Turtle is eating all that it is offered.  Radiographs of the left humerus will be re-taken in two weeks to evaluate the fracture. 10/20 Radiographs show evidence of bone healing, but turtle is not yet ready for release. 11/30  Turtle will be spending the winter at Mote to let his flipper heal well enough to be released back to the wild in the spring.  3/14  Recent radiographs show adequate healing of the humerus fracture. Turtle has been moved into larger rehabilitation tank along with Fisher for exercise and exposure to direct sunlight in preparation for release in the near future.  3/27  Turtle is "tanning" nicely.  Plan to catch for bloodwork in about two weeks, and if all looks good, will release both Rex and Fisher shortly  thereafter.  4/15  Last bloodwork showed a slight elevation of white blood cell count, possibly a sign of early infection.  Rex has not been started on antibiotics, but we will recheck bloodwork this week to see if the trend continues. Turtle continues to eat well and is still mending in a smaller rehabilitation tank. 4/23  Rex was transported by FWC yesterday to the East Coast and celebrated Earth Day by returning to the wild in his natural habitat!