12/08/2017  Turtle originally stranded in Massachusetts during a cold stun event.  Animal was triaged at New England Aquarium and was flown down, along with 45 other sea turtles, for continued rehabilitation at various marine animal rehab. facilities in Florida.  Mote received one green and nine Kemp's ridley sea turtles from this group.  Animals were transported from Tampa Airport to Mote and were placed in tanks at low water level for the night.  

12/09/2017  Tinsel had no interest in eating today, so will be given subcutaneous fluids daily until eating.  Animal can see out of right eye, but left eye is closed and appears to have some scabbing over it.  Will be given eye drops daily until eye hopefully heals.

12/10/2017  Tinsel ate 3 small pieces of food off feeding tongs today.  Blood work shows a very high white blood cell count.  This is likely due to necrosis from freezing.  Injectable antibiotic therapy was initiated.

12/18/2017  All turtles from Cape Cod are actively foraging for all food types offered.  They are all very active and the the depth of their tanks is being slowly increased.

12/25/2017  Tinsel is now opening his left eye as well.  There appears to be some scarring on the cornea, so will continue to admister eye drops daily.  

01/08/2018  Left eye now appears more normal, and animal can see out of both eyes.

01/30/2018  Animal's white blood cell count has increased possibly due to stress or fungal pneumonia.  Will continue to monitor blood parameters.

02/16/2018  Tinsel was released on the east coast of Florida by Mote staff!