TRIPLE RELEASE – SNAPE, MUGGLE AND AARDVARK
Juvenile, Green sea turtles
(Chelonia mydas)
RELEASED: October 12, 2016
SNAPE
Fishing Entanglement Leads to Amputated Flipper
Snape is a juvenile green sea turtle that came to CMA on July 21, 2016. He was found floating 7 miles offshore in Crystal River, FL. Snape had monofilament wrapped tightly around his left front flipper, rear left flipper and neck. The damage done to his left front flipper was so severe that Dr. Marquardt decided to remove his left front flipper during triage.
Swim Testing and Cold Laser Therapy
Despite losing his left front flipper, Snape swim tested very well and was in water days after his intake. We began tube feeding him shortly after and offering food. He showed interest in food right away, and we were able to wean him off of tube feedings in no time! To treat his missing flipper, we started wound care and cold laser therapy to help the healing process. On August 16, Snape underwent his only surgery to remove a small handful of tumors that were present.
Snape’s flipper healed nicely and he has been deemed pap-free by Dr. Marquardt. He will be released with his fellow rehab turtles Muggle and Aardvark on Wednesday October 12, 2016. We wish Snape the best of luck in the big blue!
MUGGLE
Muggle is a juvenile green sea turtle that came to CMA on May 15, 2016. He was found floating near the northeast tip of Anclote Key, FL. His right rear flipper was missing as well as a small portion of his lower left side of the carapace. Muggle was also suffering from the fibropapilloma virus and had tumors on the soft tissue of his body and eyes.
Unique Vibrating Pillow Treatment
Muggle swim tested very well, but was floating at the surface. His CT scan showed that he had a large amount of gas in his GI tract. To help move that gas along, he was put on a very unique treatment. Muggle was placed on vibrating pillows 30 minutes, 3 times a day to help move everything along. Once his GI tract looked better, we started offering food and he ate right away! To remove his pap tumors, he underwent removal surgery on August 2nd and also on September 23rd.
Muggle’s tumor sites and eyes healed nicely and he has been deemed pap-free by Dr. Marquardt. He will be released with his fellow rehab turtles Snape and Aardvark on Wednesday October 12, 2016. Good luck Muggle!
AARDVARK
Cold Stun Boat Strike Victim
Aardvark is a juvenile green sea turtle that came to CMA on January 26, 2016. He was part of our cold stun event and was the beginning name of our animal theme. Aardvark stranded in Hudson, FL with a healed boat strike wound on the front left side of his carapace.
Treated and Cleared for Release
We started him on tube feedings and offered food once he displayed good behavior in the water. As behavior increased he was able to stay in deep water at all times. Aardvark showed interest in food early on and was up to a healthy weight quickly. To treat his boat strike wound, we performed routine wound care on his carapace as well as cold laser therapy. Over time, Aardvark was showing signs of small pap tumors on his flippers, which were easy and painless to remove.
Aardvark’s carapace has finally healed and he has been deemed pap-free by Dr. Marquardt. He will be released with his fellow rehab turtles Muggle and Snape on Wednesday October 12, 2016. Good luck out there buddy!
Watch the triple sea turtle release video: