Rufus Jr.

Green (Chelonia mydas)

(ST13017)

Age Class Juvenile
Gender Unknown
Date Stranded March 29, 2013
Location of Stranding St. Johns, Florida
Date of Arrival March 31, 2013
Number of Days of Care 14

Final Disposition

Deceased 14 April 2013


Rufus upon admission

4/1/13 Rufus Jr. was found and transferred to Mote by Volusia County Marine Science Center. Turtle has several small fibropapilloma tumors.  It also has a heavy barnacle and algae growth on carapace.  Turtle is started on fluid therapy and antibiotic treatment.  Suspect a possible boat strike to the skull, although not definitive.  Turtle not accepting food offered. 

4/9 Turtle started eating food offered.

4/12 Turtle regressed and stopped eating.

4/14 Turtle found deceased in the morning.

Happening at Mote

Fin Fact

Mote's resident manatee, Buffett, is trained to participate in his own healthcare and in research to benefit his species. We've learned about manatee vision, hearing, sense of touch, physiology and more thanks to this willing participant. Go Buffett!

@motemarinelab #motemarinelab