To go to the doctor! That is the opening sentence of Miami News article that can be found HERE.
A 73 pound loggerhead sea turtle showed up at the Turtle Hospital, the only licensed veterinary facility in the world that solely treats sea turtles. The loggerhead was suffering from a bacterial infection and has been treated with meds and is recovering in a hospital tank.
While the hospital staff are mystified by the turtle’s behavior, I have a sneaking suspicion our own (O)CT(O)PUS may have had a ummm, hand (tentacle?) in steering the turtle to medical help.
Quite right, Rocky, I have been involved in sea turtle conservation for 9 years, sometimes holding a board-of-director position.
ReplyDeleteMarathon Key is no longer the only licensed turtle hospital in Florida. There is one down the road from me ... scarcely a mile away.
The Swash Zone has its own Turtle Patrol. From our recent report:
Loggerhead strandings were about average but green turtle strandings were still a little bit above average. Overall, the numbers of loggerhead and green turtle strandings in this area so far this year are about 3 times greater than the previous ten-year average (loggerhead strandings are about 2 times above average and green turtle strandings
are about 4 times above average). All the counties within this area are experiencing above average strandings at similar levels and at similar times (i.e., there are no different patterns within this county group). As of March 24, we've documented 85 loggerhead and 94 green turtle strandings in the area of Duval-Brevard. The previous ten-year averages for this same time and place are 41 loggerhead and 22 green turtle strandings.
When you say strandings, do you mean they are somehow being beached? I thought the turtles could move on land, however slow and awkward and would be able to get back in the water.
ReplyDeleteAnd what do you think attributes to the increase?
Sea turtles prefer the ocean and only come ashore:
ReplyDelete1. To dig nests in the sand and lay their eggs, or
2. If they are sick or injured.
The term "stranding" refers to a sick or injured sea turtle brought in for rehab.
Summer is a special time on the Atlantic coast of Florida. From May through August, thousands of sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs ... 300 lb loggerheads and greens and the spectacular leatherback weighing over 1,000 lbs. An experience to behold!
"And what do you think attributes to the increase?"
ReplyDeleteYes, I forgot to answer this question. Best guess? We had an unusually cold winter in Florida this year. Remember, sea turtles are reptiles and that means cold-blooded. During unusual cold spells, they become lethargic and more susceptible to disease and distress. Other causes of strandings: boat propeller injuries, monofilament fishing line, and plastic debris adrift in the sea.
Wow! Funny, I've been thinking about a future trip to the Keys and now I have something to plan for.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, all this family stuff will resolve soon and my life can get back to normal.
Right now, I'm too tired to think about anything but getting through each day.
I think he called his HMO and was told not to bother to go to any other clinic because he won't be tended to.
ReplyDeleteSo do turtles communicate? Pretty fascinating how it knew where to go to get healed. We humans are so much better at finding where to go to get hurt.