Pumpernickel
- Patient Status
- Former
- Date Found
- January 17, 2024
- Location
- Indian Rocks Beach; Pinellas County
- Reason for Rescue
- Floating
Initial Assessment
- Weight
- 35.24 kg (77.5 lbs)
- SCL (Straight Carapace Length)
- 63.6 cm
- Exam Findings
- Robust body condition, moderate load of epibiota on caudal carapace, and a healed injury to carapace
- Initial Treatment
- Fluids, antibiotics, and vitamins
Pumpernickel’s Story
Pumpernickel is a subadult green sea turtle who was found floating near Indian Rocks on Jan. 17. It was reported that they had trouble staying submerged. Pumpernickel does have a previous injury to their caudal carapace (shell) that is completely healed. They had a large amount of epibiota (algae and barnacles) just on this portion of their carapace which tells us they have been buoyant for some time. Over the next few weeks, we will be performing diagnostics to better assess the cause of their buoyancy.
INTERESTING FACT: Naming theme: Bread
Treatment Updates
- 1.19.24
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Radiographs performed on Pumpernickel do show some gastrointestinal abnormalities that could be the cause of their buoyancy. We are unsure of the severity of these findings at this time. We will be monitoring for defecations.
- 1.23.24
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Pumpernickel is able to be in water all day and overnight in one of our shallow ICU pools. They are still showing buoyancy issues with difficulty staying submerged. We are continuing to do glucose checks and giving fluids as needed.
- 1.24.24
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Pumpernickel’s CT showed injuries to their spine and potentially concerning gastrointestinal issues. We will start offering food and monitoring for defecations.
- 2.1.24
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Pumpernickel has been defecating over the last several days and is eating most of their diet. We will recheck radiographs next week to see if there was any improvement.
- 2.8.24
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Pumpernickel was approved to move to a bigger, deeper pool after radiographs showed improvement. Pumpernickel is able to eat off the bottom in this deeper pool and rest on the bottom, caudal end up!
- 2.14.24
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Pumpernickel has been resting on the bottom for the last week and is continuing to do well.
- 3.7.24
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We have been assessing Pumpernickel’s buoyancy behaviors over the last two weeks. Pumpernickel is able to rest on the bottom, caudal end up, however this behavior hasn’t been as consistent and a deep water swim trial may need to be performed.
- 4.5.24
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Pumpernickel went for a recheck CT. Based on findings, Pumpernickel was started on medications to aid in GI motility.
- 5.3.24
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Pumpernickel is off GI medications. We are now considering performing a deep water swim trial to assess their buoyancy disorder.
- 7.3.24
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Due to Pumpernickel’s buoyancy disorder, they were moved to a behind the scenes habitat that is 10 feet deep at CMA to undergo a deep water swim evaluation as advised by FWC. Over the next two weeks we will be recording ethograms (behavior logs) regarding Pumpernickel’s swimming, diving, resting, and foraging behaviors in deeper water.
- 8.6.24
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Pumpernickel was transferred to Florida Aquarium to undergo a deep water swim test at their facility.
- 8.26.24
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Pumpernickel has returned from their deep water dive test. Their video footage and ethogram logs are being evaluated by our staff veterinarian and FWC to determine next steps.
- 9.24.24
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After reviewing all of Pumpernickel swimming behavior and medical history, Pumpernickel was deemed “non-releasable” by FWC due to their buoyancy disorder.
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-23/24-172.