Simone, a subadult loggerhead showing signs of debilitated turtle syndrome, stranded on Little St. Simons and was found by the naturalist staff very early on the morning of July 1st! The phones started ringing and volunteer Richard Chewning came to the rescue!
The staff for LSSI Theresa Domanski, DonnaFischetti, Rob Haggan, Drew Luduigsen, Jonathan Malik, Kyla Sterling, RoxannVistocci, Michelle Zipperer, Sydney Sheedy were able to scoop her up and braved navigating their skiffs across the channel and to the St. Simon’s Island Marina. From there, Richard and Jeannie got her to the center and got her tucked in for the night.
Her initial exam showed low iron, low proteins in her blood and low glucose. All things that would be expected to be seen. Much to staff members delight when placed in water she started to swim! She also started to eat on her own immediately as well!
After being given about a week to stabilize, rehydrate and get the large amount of barnacles removed, she was x-rayed. It did appear that there were three areas that appeared to be blocked in her GI tract on the x-ray. Also common in debilitated turtles. Her diet has been changed to a no bones, no crabs diet and she seems to be quite the happy turtle.
She has just been moved into deeper water and is doing well! The staff has hopes for a full recovery and will continue to monitor her bloodwork, and behavior throughout her recovery!
July 17th, 2008 at 8:08 pm |
How long will it take before she can be released?
July 21st, 2008 at 10:11 am |
Thanks a ton for helping us with Simone! We are so happy to see that she is doing well. Just put a link on our website about the story. Check it out under our news section. http://www.lssinaturalist.com/html