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Blog & News

Sea Turtle Hospital Patient – Wonka

Current Patients Updated January 5, 2021 Posted December 18, 2020

Kemp's ridley Wonka

Wonka

Sub-adult, Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)
Kemp's ridley Wonka
Patient Status
Current
Date Found
December 9, 2020
Location
Fort De Soto Park; Pinellas County
Reason for Rescue
Stranded on beach

Initial Assessment

Weight
16.9 kg (37.2 lbs)
SCL (Straight Carapace Length)
54.4 cm
Exam Findings
Quiet but responsive; Slightly underweight. Missing a portion of carapace (shell).
Initial Treatment
Received vitamins, antibiotics & fluids.

Wonka’s Story

Wonka is a sub-adult, Kemp’s ridley sea turtle who stranded on the beach at Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas County on December 9, 2020. Upon intake, Wonka was lethargic, underweight, and had a slightly low body temperature. She is also missing a portion of her carapace (shell) from a previous injury, but that area is completely healed and unrelated to stranding. Her initial treatment consists of vitamin injections, antibiotics, and fluids. We will continue to monitor her body temperature.

Treatment Updates

12.11.20

Wonka was swim tested for the first time and did really well in water! She was able to dive, rest on the bottom, and come up for breaths without any issue! We will slowly increase her swim time as she improves.

We are continuing to do glucose checks and give fluids if needed.

12.15.20

Wonka went for a routine CT scan and no obvious abnormalities seen.

She is continuing to do well in water and is able to be in deep water all day and overnight.

12.30.20

Wonka is continuing to do well in water and is eating. She was started on oral medications.


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.

Previous Post: Sea Turtle Hospital Patient – Skittles
Next Post: Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute Expands Aerial Survey Area to Track One of the Rarest Whales in the World
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249 Windward Passage
Clearwater, FL 33767
727-441-1790

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