1600 Ken Thompson Parkway
Sarasota, FL 34236
Ph: (941) 388-4441
Hours: 10AM - 5PM
A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Age Class | Juvenile |
Gender | Unknown |
Date Stranded | January 17, 2010 |
Location of Stranding | Florida's east coast |
Date of Arrival | January 26, 2010 |
Number of Days of Care | 91 |
Released April 27, 2010
1/27 Turtle arrived after being cared for initially at the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. Turtle was cold stunned and warmed in a medical pool. Turtle arrived anemic and with fibropapillomas (tumors). Surgery is being planned to remove the tumors once the turtle's red blood cell count improves. Gumbo is swimming and eating -- a good sign! (43.2 cm; 9 kg) 3/14 Surgery was performed in the beginning of February to remove the largest of the tumors, and a second surgery was performed a few weeks later to remove the smaller remaining paps. Gumbo is recovering very well; eating consistently and is enjoying a recent move outside into a large rehabilitation pool with Limbo, Ben and Willis. This turtle is currently on antibiotics due to a high white blood cell count and we are monitoring closely for any regrowth of tumors. 3/27 Bloodwork from yesterday looks great. No sign of tumor regrowth. Have discontinued antibiotics and will recheck bloodwork in about two weeks. If everything looks good at that time, will set up for release. 4/15 Turtle is looking good, but wounds are still not completely healed. Bloodwork continues to be normal, so turtle should be releasable as soon as all of the wounds are healed. 4/28 Gumbo and Limbo were transported by FWC staff across the state to be released back on the East Coast yesterday!