Initial Assessment
Rhea
- Patient Status
- Current
- Date Found
- February 21, 2026
- Location
- Honeymoon Island; Pinellas county
- Reason for Rescue
- boat strike
- Weight
- 2.0 kg
- SCL (Straight Carapace Length)
- 25.6 cm
- Exam Findings
- Fresh trauma wound to the head. Otherwise good body condition and no other external abnormalities.
- Initial Treatment
- antibiotics, fluids, and anti-inflammatories
Rhea
Rhea is a juvenile, green sea turtle who was found floating with boat strike injuries to their head near Honeymoon Island on Feb. 21st. Rhea is otherwise in good body condition. Head trauma cases are difficult to treat as brain trauma and or vision loss could be a possibily. We will be performing diagnostics and monitoring their behaviors over the next several days to help determine severity of injury. Their initial treatment plan consists of anti-inflammatories and antibiotics.
Naming Theme: Greek Mythology
Treatment Updates
- 2.25.26
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Rhea’s CT scan showed that the boat strike injury did not penetrate to their brain casing. This is very good news. We will slowly acclimate Rhea to water. They are still very hypersensitive to handling, which is to be expected. We will monitoring for any other neurological behaviors. They are continuing on antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.
- 3.3.26
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Rhea is able to be in a shallow kiddie pool all day and overnight. We are still monitoring their appetite.
- 3.27.26
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Rhea is still not eating on their own. We have been tube feeding Rhea for the last week to help give them the proper nutrition to heal and recover. They have gained 0.1 kg! The swelling in their eyes and decreased, and we haven’t been noticing any neurologic issues at this time. Rhea’s prognosis is still guarded at this time as head injuries take time and patience to heal and monitor behaviors.
- 4.16.26
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Rhea went for a recheck CT scan based on change in behavior. Unfortunately, there was a breach into the brain cavity from that boat strike injury. Rhea was humanely euthanized due to poor prognosis from brain trauma.
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.