Zahara
- Patient Status
- Released on January 25, 2018
- Date Found
- December 17, 2017
- Location Found
- West of Ozellow water tower, Citrus County, FL
- Reason for Rescue
- Found floating; fibropapilloma tumors
TRIAGE:
- Weight
- 26.4 kg (58.2 lbs)
- SCL (Straight Carapace Length)
- 59.6 cm (23.5 in)
- Exam Findings
- Alert and active, in good body condition. A few small fibropapilloma tumors on the front flippers. Large amount of gas in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Initial Treatment
- Received vitamins and fluids.
ZAHARA’S STORY
On December 17, a juvenile green turtle was found floating at the surface of the water, with a few small fibropapilloma tumors on its flippers. Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s Rescue Team was called in to collect the turtle and bring it back to CMA for immediate triage and care.
Fibropapillomatosis is a virus that is most common in juvenile green sea turtles and is rarely seen in other sea turtle species. The virus causes cauliflower-like tumors to grow on the turtle’s soft tissues. This virus is very contagious so once a turtle with this virus comes into our facility, it is quarantined in our Intensive Care Unit. Although the cause of this virus is still unknown, you can help by keeping our oceans clean of trash and chemical pollutants.
- Name Theme
- Flowers
- Fun Fact
- Zahara’s favorite foods are capelin and squid!
TREATMENT UPDATES:
- 12.18.17
-
Started on a daily regimen of glucose checks and fluids.
- 12.19.17
-
Given first swim test; bouyant due to gas in gastrointestinal tract. Began slowly increasing daily swim time in shallow water.
- 12.22.17
-
Offered food for the first time, but did not eat.
- 12.26.17
-
Began tubing mineral oil to assist in digestion. Ate off tongs for the first time.
- 12.27.17
-
Daily diet began to slowly increase.
- 12.29.17
-
Discontinued glucose checks and fluid administration.
- 1.2.18
-
Discontinued mineral oil.
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-17-172.