Initial Assessment
Medusa
- Patient Status
- Current
- Date Found
- September 6, 2026
- Location
- Homosassa; Citrus county
- Reason for Rescue
- incidental capture, boat strike
- Weight
- 3.84 kg
- SCL (Straight Carapace Length)
- 30.8 cm
- Exam Findings
- Alert, good body condition. Boat strike injury to their carapace. Minor fibropapilloma load.
- Initial Treatment
- antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, wound care, fluids
Medusa
Medusa is a juvenile, green sea turtle who was an incidental capture by a research group. Upon capture, it was noticed that Medusa has a boat strike injury to their carapace. Medusa is otherwise in good body condition and has minor fibropapilloma tumors present. Medusa’s initial treatment plan consists of antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and wound care.
Naming Theme: Greek Mythology
Treatment Updates
- 9.9.26
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Medusa went for a CT scan to check for signs of internal damage from their injury and for internal fibropapilloma tumors. There is evidence of trauma to their vertebra. Our team will continue to monitor Medusa’s behaviors in water over the next several days. They are receiving weekly wound care and bandage changes.
- 9.11.26
-
Medusa has been doing well in water this week. They are able to be in a kiddie pool all day and overnight. We have started to incorporate deep water swimming, they have been surface well. They are also showing interest in food.
- 9.15.26
-
Medusa is able to be in deep water all day and overnight. We are going to start daily cold laser treatment on their carapace injury. They have been started on an official diet.
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-25/26-172.