Little Island Mama

Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)

(Lim, ST 0604)

Age Class Subadult
Gender Unknown
Date Stranded January 14, 2006
Location of Stranding Little Gasparilla Island, Charlotte Harbor
Date of Arrival January 14, 2006
Number of Days of Care 193 days

Final Disposition

Released July 26, 2006 from Lido Beach

This turtle was found in the surf on the beach at Little Gasparilla Island, Charlotte Harbor.  The turtle is quite cold, possibly cold-stunned, but also has most of the symptoms of red tide toxicosis.  It has been started on treatment and placed in shallow water. 1/16 Turtle is somewhat more responsive, now that its body temperature is up.  Is being placed in somewhat deeper water. 1/18 Turtle is getting stronger each day.  It is now swimming a little, but has not yet taken any food. 1/24 Turtle continues slowly improving.  Have begun to tube feed since it is still not eating. 1/29 Turtle is taking food into its mouth, but is still unable to swallow it, likely due to red tide paralysis that is subsiding.  Doing well otherwise. 2/1 Tube feeding continues as turtle is interested in food, but not yet swallowing it.  It is now in much deeper water. 2/11 Still not eating on its own, but is gaining weight from tube feeding. 2/15 Turtle finally began eating on its own this morning.  This is a very good sign. 2/22 Turtle now has a good appetite and is doing very well. 3/5 Appetite is variable, but doing very well. 3/12 Appetite is still variable, but doing well otherwise. 3/22 Appetite is off again, so planning to ultrasound and do gastroscopy later this week. 3/24 Ultrasound this morning revealed thickening of the intestinal tract and gastroscopy revealed several small lesions in the stomach.  Biopsies were taken and new treatment was initiated. 3/29 No change.  Tubing turtle every day with herring gruel. 4/11 Turtle continues to receive gruel every day. 4/24 Turtle showed first evidence of wanting to eat this morning.  Keeping our fingers crossed. 5/2 Turtle is occasionally eating, but not consistently.  Otherwise doing well. 5/12 Turtle is now eating very well and beginning to regain the weight lost in the last two months.  No other symptoms or problems. 5/21 Turtle continues to eat well and gain weight.  May be ready for release in the next month. 5/29 Continuing to do well. 6/12 Turtle continues to gain weight. 6/21 Still gaining weight and doing well. 7/7 Turtle is doing very well. 7/18 Still doing well. 7/24 Turtle was tagged today and may be ready for release by Wednesday. 7/26 Turtle was released this morning at Lido Beach.  Release went very well.

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