DONKEY KONG
- Patient Status
- Released on August 9, 2018
- Date Found
- June 13, 2018
- Location Found
- Clearwater Beach
- Reason for Rescue
- Fishing line was wrapped around the right front flipper.
TRIAGE
- WEIGHT:
- 1.07 kg (2.03 lbs).
- SCL (STRAIGHT CARAPACE LENGTH):
- 20.1 cm.
- EXAM FINDINGS:
- Alert but quiet; in good body condition. Breathing was clear and was lifting head. Soft tissue swelling in right elbow (entanglement site). No obvious fractures.
- INITIAL TREATMENT:
- Received fluids and vitamins.
DONKEY KONG’S STORY
Donkey Kong is a juvenile Kemp’s ridley sea turtle that was found at Clearwater Beach about four miles from Sand Key on June 13, 2018. The sea turtle was found with fishing gear line from a marker buoy wrapped around the right front flipper. Upon arrival, Donkey Kong was examined and received fluids.
On June 24, 2018, a piece of a balloon Donkey Kong ingested was discovered. Balloons and plastic are part of a growing marine debris problem in our oceans. Many sea turtles mistake balloons, plastic bags and other debris for jellyfish and other food they normally eat. You can help by participating in beach cleanups, not releasing balloons, and by disposing of fishing gear properly.
Donate to Help Save More Sea Turtles From Marine Debris!
- Interesting Fact
- Donkey Kong was named after the video game.
- Naming Theme
- Games
TREATMENT UPDATES
- 6.15.18
-
Started on oral medication.
- 6.24.18
-
Passed part of an ingested balloon.
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.