Hello Turtle and Opera Enthusiasts!
My name is Amanda Noble. I was born in 1986. That same year, Andrew Lloyd Webber debuted a musical entitled, “The Phantom of the Opera.” The great opera composer had adapted a 1911 novel, Le Fantôme de l’Opéra, by French writer Gaston Leroux. Well, the Opera was a hit! It is the longest running Broadway, NY musicals in history! (http://www.thephantomoftheopera.com, “The Show,” “Facts and Figures”)
On July 30, 2009, naturalists from Little Saint Simon’s Island brought us a 96 pound, sub-adult loggerhead sea turtle. The turtle was later named, “Phantom,” because of its facial injury. Here is why:
Phantom was missing half of its face and left eye; we were stunned by this patient’s injury. When we performed a full-body X-ray on this particular turtle, we found a fishhook embedded in the throat! Based off of past turtle patients, it was assumed that Phantom swallowed the fishhook in order to eat the bait, the line was reeled in, and the propeller of the boat may have sliced off most of the top beak and an eye of the turtle.*
The Phantom of the opera house had a severe facial injury, like our sea turtle. However, one key difference (besides species) is that the opera’s Phantom wore a mask. Our turtle patient is exposed for patrons of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center to view. Phantom, the sea turtle, helps us explain the necessity for responsible fishing and boating practices. Phantom is an obvious reminder that our behaviors can greatly affect the creatures that live on this planet with us.
The fishhook, which was embedded in Phantom’s esophagus, was extracted surgically and sent to a lab for analysis. We wanted to know what type of hook it was and potentially where it came from. We JUST found out that the hook was from a recreational (‘rec’) fishing line and that it appeared to have been stuck in the throat for quite some time. The GSTC respects that fishing is a way of life and hopes people in such industries respect our worlds’ turtles.
While recovering in our hospital, Phantom was treated with 1. Metacam, a pain medicine. 2. Ceftazidime & Metronidizole, antibiotics. 3. Iron pills, to help treat anemia. 4. Cisapride, for gut motility. 5. Fluid therapy, for hydration. Recently, Phantom has been able to (slowly) capture and consume live blue crab!
Now, may I present to you,
‘The Phantom of the GSTC!’
(APPLAUSE)
Eh-em. Background music, please….
“Beneath the water’s surface, you’ll see it there.
It’s missing half it’s face!! Please, be aware.
When we offered whole food, Phantom tried to bite.
The Phantom of the GSTC is fighting for life.”
Ba-da-bada-da-dah….
“Those who have seen it’s face exclaim, ‘Oh, Dear!
Will Phantom, the sea turtle, ever leave here?’
I learned it swallowed a large fishhook from a ‘rec’ line.
The Phantom of the GSTC has had a tough time!”
Ba-da-bada-da-dah….
Thank you for joining me!
~Amanda Noble, GSTC Education Member~
If you are unfamiliar with The Phantom of The Opera theme song, please visit:
