Willis

Green (Chelonia mydas)

(ST 0955)

Age Class Juvenile
Gender Unknown
Date Stranded October 17, 2009
Location of Stranding Palm Beach, FL
Date of Arrival October 18, 2009
Number of Days of Care 184

Final Disposition

Released April 19, 2010

Turtle upon arrival

10/19 Turtle was caught by fisherman in Palm Beach entangled in monofilament.  FWC transported turtle to Mote for rehabilitation.  Turtle has multiple fibropapillomas on both eyes and around front and rear flippers.  Turtle was treated with fluids and antibiotics.  Turtle is now swimming and has started eating on its own.  Planning a CT scan in the near future to assess for internal papillomas. 11/30 Willis had surgery on Nov. 20 to remove some of the larger papillomas tumors. The turtle did well with the surgery and was eating the next morning.  Will have another surgery in December to remove the rest of the tumors. 3/14 Willis underwent his second surgery in December and has healed well with no signs of tumor regrowth at this time. The turtle is eating very well and behaving normally. Bloodwork was consistent with a parasite infection and turtle is currently being treated. If bloodwork is normalizing and everything continues to look good at Willis' next exam, release in the near future is likely.  4/3  Bloodwork is slowly heading in the right direction, but not quite normal yet. We are hoping to release this turtle along with several others sharing a big tank (Ben, Gumbo, Limbo) sometime in the next few weeks.  4/17  Turtle has been medically cleared and will be transported back to the East Coast this Monday (4/19) for release!  4/20  Willis was taken on a road trip across the state and successfully released yesterday, along with Ben and Pip.



 

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