Harper's Ferry
- Patient Status
- Current
- Date Found
- October 23, 2022
- Location
- Offshore New Port Richey; Pasco County
- Reason for Rescue
- Floating
Initial Assessment
- Weight
- 30 kg (6.6 lbs)
- SCL (Straight Carapace Length)
- 30.1 cm
- Exam Findings
- Alert and very active. Fibropapilloma tumors on both eyes and several on multiple areas on the body.
- Initial Treatment
- vitamin injections, antibiotics, and fluids.
Harper’s Ferry’s Story
Harper’s Ferry is a juvenile green sea turtle who was found floating offshore of New Port Richey on October 23. Harper has fibropapilloma tumors which will need to be removed surgically. Harper did display caudal buoyancy during their first swim test in rehab at CMA. Initial diagnostics show Harper has gastrointestinal gas which could be the cause of their buoyancy. Our team’s goal is to get Harper ready for surgery and also help resolve Harper’s buoyancy issues.
INTERESTING FACT: Harper’s Ferry is named after the national park in West Virginia, USA.
Treatment Updates
- 10.27.22
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Harper’s Ferry went for a routine CT scan, no obvious internal tumors were seen! Harper has already started to show interest in food and is able to be in a kiddie pool all day and overnight! We are continuing to do glucose checks twice a day and giving fluids as needed.
- 10.29.22
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Harper is continuing to eat well! We have now started to incorporate deep water swim time and Harper’s floating behaviors have improved!
- 11.1.22
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Harper is able to be in deep water all day and overnight. Harper is officially on a diet and eating well!
- 11.23.22
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Harper went for a recheck CT to check for signs of disease progression prior scheduling first surgery. We are saddend to say that Harper had developed internal tumors and was humanely euthanized. A necropsy was completed to help learn about this case.
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-21/22-172A.