Crunch
- Patient Status
- Released December 8, 2020
- Date Found
- August 6, 2020
- Location
- Crystal River Area; Citrus County
- Reason for Rescue
- Boat strike injury
Initial Assessment
- Weight
- 0.97 kg (2.13 lbs)
- SCL (Straight Carapace Length)
- 19.2 cm
- Exam Findings
- Good body condition, alert & active; Boat strike injury to carapace
- Initial Treatment
- Received vitamins, fluids, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications
Crunch’s Story
Crunch is a juvenile, green sea turtle who was found in the Crystal River area on August 6 with a boat strike injury to his carapace (shell). His initial treatment includes fluids, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication. Despite his carapace injury, he is very active and is showing improvement!
Interesting Fact: Crunch is under our new “candy” naming theme! He is also one of the smallest patients we have seen so far this year; weighing just under 1 kg!
Treatment Updates
- 8.7.20
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X-rays were conducted to look for severe internal injuries. His bloodwork was sent off to the lab. A topical ointment was applied to his injury to help with its healing process.
- 8.8.20
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Crunch was offered food for the first time, and ate it all quickly! He is doing well in water so far.
- 8.10.20
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He is continuing to do well, and his diet was increased!
- 8.26.20
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Crunch is continuing to do well! Resting on the bottom and able to dive. Diet has been increased. Wound care was performed on carapace (shell) injury.
- 9.9.20
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Routine wound care was performed on Crunch’s carapace (shell) to remove any dead bone or debris to promote better healing. A topical ointment was also reapplied to help the healing process. He is continuing to eat and swim well! Crunch officially weighs over 1 kg now!
- 10.7.20
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Crunch went for a routine CT scan and the scan revealed trauma to Crunch’s spine. Due to the severity of Crunch’s carapace (shell) injury, he is expected to be in rehab with us for a few more months as the wounds will take time to heal. We will also continue to monitor Crunch’s swimming behavior throughout the healing process.
Crunch is continuing to rest on the bottom of his pool and is still showing movement in all four flippers!
- 10.22.20
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Crunch’s carapace (shell) injury is healing very well! There has been a lot of progress in the last month. His carapace has almost completely closed up, which is very encouraging!
- 11.7.20
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Seagrass was added to Crunch’s diet. For our green sea turtles, we typically start to add seagrass to their diet to mimic a diet similar to their natural environment! He now weighs 1.6 kg!
- 12.8.20
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Crunch was released at Fred Howard Park!
Learn more about Crunch’s release.
All marine turtle footage taken in Florida was obtained with the approval of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) under conditions not harmful to marine turtles. Footage was acquired while conducting authorized conservation activities pursuant to FWC MTP-18-172.