Ranch
- Patient Status
- Current
- Date Found
- June 17, 2022
- Location
- Offshore Belleair Beach; Pinellas County
- Reason for Rescue
- Found floating with difficulty staying submerged
Initial Assessment
- Weight
- 21.3 kg (46.9 lbs)
- SCL (Straight Carapace Length)
- 57.1 cm
- Exam Findings
- Good body condition. Moderate load of epibiota. Caudal carapace (shell) deformity.
- Initial Treatment
- Vitamins, antibiotics, and fluids
Ranch’s Story
Ranch is a large juvenile, almost subadult, green sea turtle that was found floating offshore of Belleair Beach. It was reported that Ranch had difficulty staying submerged. At examination, Ranch was active and in good body condition. Ranch does have a deformity to her caudal carapace (shell) and previous carapace injuries that are healed. Ranch’s initial treatment consists of vitamin injections, antibiotics, and fluids
INTERESTING FACT: Sea turtles species are divided up into life stages depending on their straight carapace (shell) lengths. Ranch is less than 3 cm away from being classified as a subadult green sea turtle!
Treatment Updates
- 6.18.22
-
Ranch was swim tested for the first time. It was observed that Ranch is buoyant and does have difficulty staying submerged. We will continue to increase Ranch’s swim time as she improves.
- 6.21.22
-
Ranch is able to be in water all day and overnight. She is starting to show interest in food! We are continuing to do glucose checks and giving fluids as needed. Radiographs revealed there is a lot of gastrointestinal gas and possible trauma to spine which both could be contributing to Ranch’s buoyancy issue.
- 6.24.22
-
We are seeing improvement in Ranch’s buoyancy as she is able to be more submerged in water than a few days ago!
- 6.29.22
-
Ranch has started on a diet and continuing to eat well! We are monitoring Ranch’s defecations.
- 7.4.22
-
Ranch was moved to a deeper pool. He is able to dive down to eat but still rests at the surface. We will continue to monitor buoyancy over the next several weeks.
- 7.14.22
-
Ranch has been seen resting on the bottom, caudal end up consistently the last few days! This is very exciting for his rehab progress!
- 7.20.22
-
Ranch has now been seen resting flat!
- 8.11.22
-
Our team has been monitoring Ranch’s buoyancy the last two weeks. Ranch has not been resting on the bottom and has been resting at the surface consistently. Due to this, follow up xrays and an ultrasound were performed. It appears that Ranch’s gastrointestinal issues have returned. He will be going back on medications, and we will continue to monitor his buoyancy. Ranch’s appetite is still great!
- 10.7.22
-
Ranch is continuing to have intermittent buoyancy but is able to rest on the bottom. Unfortunately due to the inconsistency, Ranch will likely need to have a deep water swim test performed. Ranch is continuing to eat well!
- 10.15.22
-
Ranch was temporarily transferred to complete a deep water swim trial to assess buoyancy disorder. Ranch’s swimming behaviors will be monitored over the span of a couple of weeks.
- 10.27.22
-
Ranch was able to rest and forage off the bottom of the deep water habitat during the swim trial! Ranch has received a clean bill of health from our veterinarian!
- 11.2.22
-
Ranch was released at Honeymoon Island!
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.