Louie

Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)

(JJF990307-01)

Age Class Juvenile
Gender Unknown
Date Stranded March 6, 1999
Location of Stranding Gulf of Mexico
Date of Arrival March 6, 1999
Number of Days of Care 136

Final Disposition

Released 22 July 1999 near original stranding site in Gulf of Mexico

Louie was admitted to the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital because of a large wound on the back of his neck involving the entire area between his head and his carapace. The wound was cleaned and treated topically. Louie received systemic antibiotics to control infection. The wound healed over about a three month period with no restriction of movement of the head. He was released back into the wild.

Lessons: Even fairly large wounds will heal in sea turtles with a minimum of scarring and a minimum of scar retraction.
 

On arrival
Large would on neck
Burrowing Barnacles
Turtle during treatment
Final condition
(compare to image above)
Final condition of flipper
(compare to image above)


Back to the sea!

Happening at Mote

Fin Fact

Coral reefs are declining because of climate change—warming temperatures and ocean acidification—but Mote scientists are learning that some corals may cope better than others. For instance, Mote led research has revealed climate change-resilient, native genetic varieties of staghorn coral (an important Florida coral species), and we're growing them in our coral restoration nurseries.

@motemarinelab #motemarinelab