Tiny

Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)

(JJF990307-01)

Age Class	Adult
Gender	Female
Date Stranded	November 11, 2000
Location of Stranding	Approximately 5 miles offshore from Boca Grande Pass, Florida
Date of Arrival	November 11, 2000
Number of Days of Care	8

Final Disposition

Died on November 19, 2000

This turtle was unable to dive at the time it was rescued from the Gulf of Mexico. Upon admission, it had severe pneumonia (which can cause turtles to float). It was noted in the first 24 hours that the turtle did not have normal breathing reflexes, meaning it would not always raise its head out of the water to breathe, even though it was strong enough to do so. It was assumed that this indicated a neurological (central nervous system) disorder. Twice the turtle had to be revived for breathing in water. The turtle died on 19 November and the necropsy indicated severe pneumonia and probably chronic pancreatitis. Tissues were taken to determine the cause of the neurological symptoms. Results of these tests will take several weeks.