02/06/2022  Turtle was found floating in Redfish Pass, Captiva Island in Lee County.  She was transported to Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) for rehabilitation.  Exam findings show a healed caudal carapace fracture, amputation of the left rear flipper, and tail amputation all likely caused by a boat strike.

02/09/2022  Turtle was transferred to Mote for continued rehabilitation.  "Tater" is being kept in a shallow rehab. pool due to buoyancy issues.   She is receiving subcutaneous fluids until eating regularly.

02/12/2022  Tater is still lethargic but did eat a piece of romaine lettuce today.

02/18/2022 Tater is now eating all seafood items offered and romaine lettuce.  She was started on an oral antibiotic due to an elevating white blood cell count.  She is still lethargic and being kept in shallow water due to buoyancy issues.

03/09/2022  Tater continues to eat well.  She is currently on two different oral antibiotics due to buoyancy issues and an elevated white blood cell count.

04/04/2022  Tater's blood values are improving, so antibiotics were discontinued.  She continues to have buoyancy issues for the majority of the time.

04/07/2022  Tater was moved to a large rehab. pool to observe her buoyancy in a larger, deeper environment over time.

04/27/2022  Tater was able to sit at the bottom of the deeper tank, but her caudal end was buoyant.  She was moved back into a smaller tank and weights were attached to her carapace using epoxy.  The weights allow her to sit flat at the bottom and achieve neutral buoyancy.  The weights are not a permanent fix, however, so animal is deemed non-releasable due to unresolved permanent buoyancy issues secondary to the healed boat strike.

05/07/2022  Because Tater is medically non-releasable, she is now being hand-fed to get her used to being around people.  She will remain in the sea turtle rehab. hospital at Mote until FWC places her in a permanent facility.  

07/21/2022  Tater continues to do well.  She is now desensitized to being hand-fed and seeks out tactile interaction from staff and interns.

09/27/2022  All resident and rehabilitation sea turtles at Mote were moved to 2nd and 3rd level offices and dry-docked for the impending arrival of Hurrican Ian tomorrow.

09/29/2022  All resident and rehabilitation sea turtles at Mote were safely moved back downstairs to their tanks.  Mote lost power and water during the storm, but suffered no major structural damage.

10/05/2022  Tater did well recovering after the storm.  She is eating normally and is very active.

02/18/2023  Tater is doing well and is still waiting for permanent placement at a zoo or aquarium.  She is very interactive with staff and seems to enjoy interaction with humans.  She will make a great ambassador for her species wherever she ends up.

07/15/2023  Tater continues to eat well and interact with staff and interns. She is still awaiting placement from FWC at a permanent zoo or aquarium.

12/08/2023  Tater was humanely euthanized today.  She had not defecated in 23 days despite multiple enemas, medications to stimulate GI movement, and being fed gelatin sliders with mineral oil and fiber powder.  X-rays and ultrasound showed accumulation of fecal material and lack of GI movement, likely due to nerve damage and malformation of carapace due to old boat strike injury.  Tater was a very special sea turtle with a huge personality.  She will be missed by all who had the opportunity to meet her and get know her.