Moira Rosa
- Patient Status
- Released
- Date Found
- October 16, 2021
- Location
- Crystal River; Citrus County
- Reason for Rescue
- Buoyant, boat strike injury
Initial Assessment
- Weight
- 34.6 kg (76.1 lbs)
- SCL (Straight Carapace Length)
- 69.5 cm
- Exam Findings
- Partially healed boat strike injury to carapace (shell); good body condition and very active. Very minor fibropapilloma tumors (pap tumors).
- Initial Treatment
- Received vitamins & fluids.
Moira Rose’s Story
Moira Rose is a sub-adult, green sea turtle who was found floating and had difficulty staying submerged near Crystal River on October 16, 2021. Moira Rose has a partially healed boat strike injury to her carapace (shell). Moira Rose has a good body condition and is very active! Moira’s initial treatment consists of vitamin injections and fluids.
INTERESTING FACT: Moira Rose is a part of our Sitcom Characters naming theme. Moira is from Schitt’s Creek!
Treatment Updates
- 10.17.21
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Moira Rose’s first swim test did show that she is buoyant and has difficulty staying submerged. We will continue to increase her swim time as she improves.
- 10.20.21
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Moira Rose went for a routine CT scan. No obvious internal tumors or severe internal injuries caused by the boat strike were seen!
We will continue to monitor her buoyancy.
Moira has started to show interest in food!
She is able to be in water all day and overnight!
- 11.4.21
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Moira Rose is improving in deeper water. She is able to dive to the bottom of the pool, however, she still floats back up to the surface. She is eating well and loves seagrass!
- 12.2.21
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Moira Rose was released at Fred Howard Park!
- 1.9.22
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A boater found Moira Rose floating offshore of Homosassa in Citrus County and stated she had trouble submerging. She was brought back to CMA for rehabilitation. Our team was able to identify this turtle as Moira Rose because she has metal flipper tags (contains identifying letters and numbers specifically assigned to her) and a PIT tag (similar to a microchip) that were applied prior to her release on December 12th. It is worth noting that Moira Rose traveled from Fred Howard Park in Pinellas County to Homosassa in Citrus County in one month! Citrus County is where she originally was rescued in October 2021. This is why tagging is important as it helps us learn more about sea turtles and their migratory patterns and if a patient has been rehabilitated previously!
- 1.14.22
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Moira Rose went for a recheck CT, it was observed that Moira may have some gastrointestinal issues causing her buoyancy.
- 2.16.22
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Our team has been monitoring Moira’s buoyancy over the last several weeks. Moira is able to rest on the bottom, caudal end up but still floats intermittenly through out the day. She is continuing to eat well!
- 6.7.22
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Moira Rose was temporarily transferred to complete a deep water swim trial to assess her buoyancy disorder. Her swimming behaviors will be monitored over the span of a couple of weeks.
- 6.27.22
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Moira Rose has returned from her deep water swim trial. All her behavior logs are being evaluated by our staff veterinarian and Florida Fish and Wildlife (FWC).
- 7.20.22
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Moira Rose was able to rest and forage off the bottom of the deep water habitat during her swim trial! Moira has received a clean bill of health from our veterinarian! Our team is working closely with FWC regarding the best release options and locations.
- 8.11.22
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Moira was successfully released offshore of Homosassa area with the assistance of University of Florida!
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-19-172.