Honeysuckle
- Patient Status
- Released Jan. 28 2017
- Date Found
- September 23, 2017
- Location Found
- Crystal River, Hernando County, FL
- Reason for Rescue
- Found entangled in fishing line; fibropapilloma tumors
Triage
- Weight
- 5.1 kg (11.2 lbs)
- SCL (STRAIGHT CARAPACE LENGTH)
- 35.3 cm (13.9 in)
- EXAM FINDINGS
- Alert and active, in good body condition. Superficial abrasions on front flippers from fishing line. Fibropapilloma tumors found on all flippers, eyes, and tail.
- INITIAL TREATMENT
- Received vitamins, antibiotics, and fluids.
Honeysuckle’s Story
On September 23, 2017, a boater in Crystal River, Hernando County, Florida, found two green sea turtles entangled together in fishing line — later named Honeysuckle and Ivory. Both turtles were also afflicted with fibropapilloma tumors. The turtles were picked up by CMA’s Rescue Team and brought to the aquarium for triage and care.
The contact had already cut away most of the fishing line on both turtles. Monofilament fishing line is very dangerous for turtles, especially fishing line that remains in the ocean and isn’t disposed of properly. Turtles can get tangled in the line, causing flipper amputations, or they can swallow the line causing digestive problems. It’s important that you clean up after yourself any time you go fishing.
Fibropapillomatosis is a virus that is most common in juvenile green sea turtles and is rarely seen in other sea turtle species. The virus causes cauliflower-like tumors to grow on the turtle’s soft tissues. This virus is very contagious so once a turtle with this virus comes into our facility, it is quarantined in our Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Although the cause of this virus is still unknown, you can help by keeping our oceans clean of trash and chemical pollutants.
- Naming Theme
- Flowers
- Did You Know?
- Honeysuckle was found entangled in fishing line with fellow stranded turtle Ivory!
Treatment Updates
- 9.24.17
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Started on a daily regimen of antibiotics, glucose checks, and fluids.
- 9.25.17
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Swim tested for the first time. Slightly buoyant in the water, but otherwise calm. Slowly began to increase daily swim time.
- 9.28.17
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Offered food for the first time, and ate well. Started to slowly increase diet.
- 10.9.17
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Started on oral meds; discontinued glucose checks, fluids, and antibiotic injections.
- 11.15.17
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Surgical procedure to remove external fibropapilloma tumors.
- 11.28.17
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Discontinued oral medications.
- 12.15.17
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Cleared for release!
- 12.28.17
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After 97 days in rehab at CMA, Honeysuckle was released at Honeymoon Island State Park, Pinellas County, Florida. Safe travels out there, Honeysuckle!
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-17-172.