Topaz
- Patient Status
- Released
- Date Found
- June 4, 2024
- Location
- Fort Desoto; Pinellas county
- Reason for Rescue
- Entanglement
Initial Assessment
- Weight
- 23.97 kg (53 lbs)
- SCL (Straight Carapace Length)
- 56.6 cm
- Exam Findings
- Good body condition and active. Ligature injury to right front flipper.
- Initial Treatment
- Fluids, anti-inflammatories, and cold laser treatment
Topaz’s Story
Topaz is a large, subadult Kemp’s ridley, who was found entangled in fishing line near Fort Desoto on June 4. The fisherman who found Topaz reported that they were struggling to surface. Upon the rescue, it was observed that the fishing line was attached to a large crab trap that was pulling Topaz underwater, increasing their risk of drowning. Topaz has a ligature injury on their right front flipper from the entanglement but is otherwise in good body condition.
INTERESTING FACT: Naming theme: Gemstones + Minerals. Adult kemp’s ridleys have a straight carapace length of 60 cm, Topaz is 4 cm away from being classified as an adult kemp’s ridley!
Treatment Updates
- 6.5.24
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Topaz is doing well in water. They are able to be in deep water all day and overnight. They are starting to show interest in food. We are also doing cold laser therapy on their injured right front flipper. Cold laser therapy is a low-intensity laser that stimulates damaged cells to regrow and heal using low levels of light.
- 6.7.24
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Topaz went for a routine CT scan.
- 6.26.24
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Wound care was performed on the right front flipper. The area is healing well, and we have discontinued cold laser treatment.
- 8.6.24
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Routine wound care was performed on Topaz’s right front flipper. The area is showing progress, however, the healing process is lengthy.
- 9.28.24
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Due to the extensive damage from Hurricane Helene to our life support systems, all our sea turtle patients were transferred to Coastal Stewards to continue out their rehabilitation until our pools are fixed.
- 11.18.24
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Topaz has returned to CMA from Coastal Stewards to finish out the remainder of their rehabilitation. Their front flipper wound is mostly healed!
- 12.5.24
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Topaz has received a clean bill of health from our staff veterinarian!
- 12.11.24
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Topaz was successfully released!
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.