Former Patients
AJ (aka Number 11)
AJ (previously known as #11) is a straggler hatchling that was found on Jekyll Island on September 20, 2007. He was affectionately nicknamed #11 because he was the eleventh sea turtle seen by the center and the name has stuck around and in May 2009, was recently re-named AJ in Memory of AJ Donohue. AJ was brought into the Center to be used raised for a few years while serving as an ambassador for the species. AJ was initially fed seafood from a skewer until large enough to eat gel. AJ is now being fed a custom made, nutritionally complete gel along with daily ice block for enrichment. We are hoping to release AJ back into the wild some time this summer. However, because he is still so young and small (by comparison), he will need to take a boat ride out to the Gulf Stream for his release. We are currently trying to make these arrangements.
Bastille
Bastille, a juvenile Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, arrived at the GSTC on July 14, 2008 with a fish hook embedded in its tongue. The turtle was sedated with propofol and the hook was then easily removed. The wound created by the hook appeared to be more chronic indicating the hook may have been present for a while prior to presentation. Bastille was placed on a short course of antibiotics and pain killers. She was released on October 4, 2008 from Jekyll Island with a PIT tag and flipper tags. However, because of her size (she’s too small), she was not given a satellite transmitter.
Bevelyn
Bev, a loggerhead sea turtle arrived at the GSTC on August 1, 2007 from the Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City, FL. She was found on July 21, 2006 floating in the St. Andrews Sound in the Gulf of Mexico. Upon discovery and arrival at the GSTC, Bev was unable to open her jaws properly. The GSTC team used innovative physical therapy techniqes to rehabilitate Bev. She recovered from her illness much more quickly than expected and was ready for release in Nov. 2007. We gave her flipper tags, a PIT tag and a satellite tag (rushed special order from our colleague Mark Dodd from GA DNR) on November 18, 2007, drove her to a beach on the Florida panhandle, west of Panama City Beache and released her on November 19, 2007, back into the Gulf of Mexico.
Blizzard
Blizzard is a sub-adult loggerhead that came to the GSTC from North Carolina on November 26, 2008. Blizzard was part of a mass cold-stunning event along with Snowball and Chilly Willy, similar to the one that caused Tinkerbell and Cruella to strand in New England. Initially, Blizzard was weak and lethargic and was not eating on his/her own. Green plasma indicated that Blizzard also seemed to be having a liver problem. After slowly being warmed, supportive care, being treated with milk thistle and antibiotics, Blizzard made a complete recovery.
Blizzard was released on April 25, 2009 from Tybee Island, GA during their annual Turtle Trot fundraiser. She was released with 4 other turtles: Snowball (loggerhead), Chilly Willy and Nikon (greens). CLICK HERE to follow Blizzard’s journey.
Charlotte
Charlotte, a juvenile green sea turtle, arrived at the GSTC on January 17, 2008. Charlotte was named after Dr. Terry Norton’s younger sister, Charlotte Norton. She was found stranded on Cumberland Island, located just south of Jekyll Island. When Charlotte was first brought to GSTC, an unusually heavy load of barnacles (Chelonibia testudinaria) covered both her carapace and plastron. After removing the barnacles, the carapace showed evidence of an old boat propeller strike. The barnacles had actually been growing into the wound, preventing it from being fully healed! Upon placing her into a hospital tank, her tail end was floating above the surface of the water. A CT scan and MRI showed that there is actually a vertebral bone fracture or break compressing her spine and causing partial paralysis of her hind flippers and affecting the neurological function of her gastrointestinal tract. This dysfunction causes her not to have the normal movement of her gastrointestinal tract and to accumulate gas which causes her to float with her butt end up. This is called “bubble butt syndrome”. Charlotte still has a chance to recover enough for release but this could take years. We hoped to find a good home for her at an aquarium or similar facility and agreed to release her in the future if she regains neurological function of her hind fiippers and gastrointestinal tract. After some searching, we finally found a suitable home for Charlotte at the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut. She was transferred there by private plane (thanks to one of our Benefactor Members!) on Sunday, November 23, 2008, accompanied by 2 staff members.
Chilly Willy
A juvenile green sea turtle, Chilly Willy, came to the GSTC from North Carolina on November 26, 2008. Chilly Willy was part of a mass cold stunning event along with Snowball and Blizzard, similar to the one that caused Tinkerbell and Cruella to strand in New England. Initially, Chilly Willy was weak and lethargic however she was eating on her own. After slowly being warmed, supportive care, and being treated with antibiotics, Chilly Willy began doing well. She continued to eat on her own and to improve. Like all green sea turtles at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Chilly Willy received daily vegetables to help replicate what her diet would be in the wild.
Chilly Willy was released on April 29, 2009 from Tybee Island, GA during their annual Turtle Trot fundraiser event. He was joined by 3 other rehabilitated sea turtles from our facility: Nikon (green), Snowball & Blizzard (loggerheads).
Cruella de Vil
Seven endangered sea turtles, rescued from the NewEngland coast, arrived December 19, 2007.The turtles (5 Kemp’s Ridley – one of the most endangered turtles in the world, and 2 green sea turtles – also endangered) were “cold-stunned,” and brought to New England Aquarium for emergency treatment. This is a common problem in New England waters and some years they may receive as many as 200 turtles in a 2 month period. Due to the tremendous numbers of turtles received in such a short period of time, the Aquarium must collaborate with other institutions and send the turtles out once they have been stabilized. For this reason, the “New England seven” were transferred to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center for further rehabilitation. Five of the original seven, Wil E. Coyote, Scuttle, Kermit, Grover and Tweety recovered relatively quickly and were released earlier this spring and summer off Jekyll Island.
Cruella received treatment for a severe bacterial shell infection involving bone and keratin. We utilized a bone cement impregnated with antibiotics to treat some of those wounds. This is a very expensive product. A local surgeon, Dr. Sasser, kindly arranged the first batch to be donated but that was only enough to cover about half the wounds. We also received donations from several individuals to purchase more bone cement. This surge in donations stimulated the company that makes the bone cement to donate a supply. We applied the bone cement to all of Cruella’s active non-healed wounds. After being treated with the bone cement her wounds healed.
Cruella was released on April 29, 2009 with a Pilot Drew (a green from our facility) and 9 other rehabilitated sea turtles (2 loggerheads, 1 green & 7 kemps) that traveled down overnight from the New England Aquarium.
Dolly
Dolly, a juvenile Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle, arrived at the GSTC on April 13, 2008. She had been accidentally caught by a family fishing off the Jekyll Island Wharf and had a hook lodged in her esophagus. We surgically removed the hook, administered antibiotics and tube fed her until she began eating on her own. Dolly was successfully released on June 30, 2008 from Jekyll Island, GA after receiving flipper tags and a PIT tag. She was too small to receive a satellite transmitter.
Duffy
Duffy, a juvenile loggerhead sea turtle, arrived at the GSTC on June 11, 2008. The turtle was caught by the Georgia Bulldog research vessel that trawls for sea turtles to collect population data and tag non-nesting turtles. We suspect Duffy was the victim of a boat propeller strike and had a large slice through the shell (carapace, bridge and plastron) and an even larger wound on the right rear flipper revealing a broken femur. All wounds were infected and being treated, however, the femur was unable to be repaired. However, Duffy had been moving the flipper so fortunately amputation was not needed. We also treated the deep wounds with honey and beeswax to pack into the wounds and protect them. Honey has been used in human medicine for centuries and is now being used for wounds that are difficult to heal, such as those found in human diabetic patients. We are working with the local bee keeping community to obtain the beeswax and honey. We have noted fairly dramatic healing to the wounds since we had begun using honey. The honey treatment helped Duffy’s wounds heal completely, thus making her ready for release!
Duffy was released on May 13, 2009 with another rehabilitated sea turtle from our facility name Simone (loggerhead). Prior to Duffy’s release she was given tags and a satellite transmitter. CLICK HERE to follow Duffy’s journey.
Dylan
Dylan was a “straggler hatchling” rescued from a nest that emerged August 26, 1998 on Jekyll Island. She has spent many years as an ambassador for her species at various education facilities. Most recently she has been at the Georgia Aquarium where she was a star attraction. Our colleagues from the Georgia Aquarium delivered her to us to begin her transition back to the wild. Here she was weaned off of hand feeding to make sure that she can detect, pursue and capture live prey items. On June 29, 2008 Dylan received flipper tags, a PIT tag and a satellite transmitter. She was successfully released the next day, June 30th, 2008 from Jekyll Island, GA. Watch the video! See the pictures!
Gale
Gale arrived at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on June 25, 2008 after hitching a ride in to shore on the Georgia Bulldog research vessel. This juvenile loggerhead was caught in the trawl net of the Bulldog and was the unfortunate victim of a boat strike. A large area of dead bone at the peak of her carapace (top shell) was debrided and cleaned, and she received regular bandage changes during her stay with us. Despite her injuries, Gale was quite an active patient! Gale was released on October 4, 2007 from Jekyll Island. She already had a PIT tag, but was given new flipper tags and a satellite transmitter! Click here to access her tracking map.
Georgia
“Georgia” came to us on Mother’s Day 2007 with very severe injuries cased by a small boat outboard engine. She had 5 deep propeller lacerations and many broken bones. We treated the wounds daily, gave her fluids, and provided medications to fight infection, reduce inflammation and relive pain, but Georgia’s general health declined rapidly.
On the evening of May 31, 2007 we took Georgia to a local imaging facility for a CT scan (photo 1). An expert animal radiologist read the scans the next day and reported what we most feared. The wound to Georgia’s head caused several fractures to her skull and penetrated her brain resulting in untreatable damage and infection. Additionally, the wounds to her carapace and shoulder continued into her body cavity causing internal complications that were also untreatable. As it was clear that our treatments could only prolong her inevitable death, we chose to humanely euthanize her right away in the midst of the tropical storm on Saturday, June 2, 2007.
Though the GSTC team and the entire Jekyll Island family is saddened by the loss of our first patient, Georgia’s time with us was very valuable in many ways. First and foremost, Georgia was an ambassador for her species; she helped our visitors and those who followed her story in the press and online learn about the plight of sea turtles and other marine animals. She helped train our staff to work together and to treat many of the types of injuries that we are likely to encounter in the future. She helped the GSTC establish a relationship with a local imaging facility and create fast information transfer protocols with experts around the country that will reduce diagnostic times for future patients. What we learn through her necropsy (being conducted today), we may learn things that will help engineers design more “animal friendly” boat engines. And, of course, Georgia helped us announce to the world that there is now a place on Jekyll Island where injured and ill turtles can be brought for treatment and care. Though we know we will not be able to save them all, we are dedicated to helping the ones we can.
Golden Boy
In 2006, a debilitated loggerhead was rescued in Christmas Creek near Cumberland Island, GA. Because there was no treatment facility for sea turtles in Georgia at that time, the turtle was transported to Sea World Orlando for care. Initially the prognosis was not good but surprisingly the turtle responded well to treatments and recovered quickly; thus, the staff at Sea World named him “Golden Boy.” Golden Boy was healthy and active and was ready for release back into Georgia waters. He was successfully released July 19, 2007 with a satellite telemetry transmitter donated by the Georgia DNR. Watch the video!
Jack
Jack is a juvenile Kemps ridley sea turtle that stranded on Jacksonville Beach on November 9, 2009. Jack was very depressed, thin, and floating when he/she arrived at the GSTC, but is now doing better. Initial x-rays revealed a blockage in Jack’s intestinal tract, but subsequent x-rays have revealed that this blockage is moving. We are currently tube feeding Jack ensure (to provide nutrition), ceftazidime (antibiotics) mineral oil, fluids and Cisapride (a gastrointestinal motility enhancing drug). During the initial tube feeding, sand would clog the feeding tube when it was entering the stomach. We suspect the material causing the blockage is sand. Hopefully the mineral oil, rehydration, and Cisapride will allow Jack to pass the blockage on his own. Jack seems to be feeling better and has been resting normally on the bottom of his tank.
Nicky came to the GSTC on May 15, 2007 with a very severe skull fracture, probably the result of a boat collision. In addition, Nicky had been battling respiratory problems and pneumonia that were probably the result of aspirating sea water and sand when she was being washed up on the beach before she was rescued. It is very difficult to fight pneumonia especially when the bacteria in the lungs are anti-biotic resistant (as was the case here) and the patient’s immune system is already compromised. As with many human cases, we saw some improvement initially (enough for us to treat the head injury with surgery and the orthopedic devise) but ultimately we lost the battle to a very aggressive disease. Nicky passed on July 21, 2007. Post-mortem examination revealed that Nick was a female, thus “Nick” is short for “Nicky”!
While we are saddened by her loss, we remember that our initial assessment suggested that she was unlikely to live for more than a few days after she arrived. Certainly she was a fighter and we’re glad we had the opportunity to give her the best chance she had. First and foremost, Nicky was an ambassador for her species; she helped our visitors and those who followed her story in the press and online learn about the plight of sea turtles and other marine animals. She helped train our staff to work together and to treat many of the types of injuries we are likely to encounter in the future.
She helped the GSTC establish a relationship with a local orthopedic surgeon and create the external fixator, the first of its kind, which can be used to help other sea turtles with similar injuries in the future. What we were able to learn through her necropsy, may help engineers design more “animal friendly” boat engines.
Nikon
Nikon arrived March 29, 2008. This young green sea turtle was found at Crooked River State Park. Nikon, full name Nikon the Contender, was discovered by fishermen who noticed the turtle having difficulty submerging. Upon arrival to the Center, Nikon was alert and responsive with light barnacles and algae cover over the carapace and interestingly there were polychaete marine worms found hiding in the barnacles. It would be great to have a whole ecosystem growing on your back-don’t you think?? The initial exam on Nikon revealed that he/she had a low blood glucose level, air trapped in the coelomic cavity, as well as lots of feces in the gastrointestinal tract indicating a possible blockage. The air was removed from the coelomic cavity with a syringe and needle, which allowed the turtle to dive slightly better but not normally. Well, after getting some fluids and glucose and the air out, Nikon let all that buildup in her gastrointestinal tract loose and sunk straight to the bottom and has done amazingly well ever since. One of Nikon’s liver enzymes was very elevated and continued to rise, so she was not ready for release. A liver biopsy was scheduled on July 25, 2008 to find out the cause of the liver enzyme elevation. We discovered that Nikon was, in fact, a girl with the help of the endoscope during the biopsy! The results of her liver biopsy revealed she had fatty liver syndrome. Nikon was then treated with milkthistle, a homeopathic remedy, which increased her liver enzyme values, allowing her to be eligible for release! Nikon was released on April 25, 2009 from Tybee Island, GA during their annual Turtle Trot fundraiser. She was released with 3 other rehabilitated sea turtles from our facility: Chilly Willy (green), Snowball & Blizzard (loggerheads).
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a subadult loggerhead that originally stranded in Pumpkin Hill Creek, FL on October 16, 2008. She was rescued by a local boater and was transferred to the Center by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. She presented with severe debilitation and was covered in thousands of leeches and other epibionts and unable to completely open her mouth. She was also unable to dive normally and had vision issues with her right eye. We have been working with Pumpkin to increase her range of motion with her mouth, similar to the treatment we conducted with Bevelyn. Pumpkin has been treated with Procrit (stimulates the bone marrow), iron dextran (assists in treating anemia), metaclopromide and cisapride (both GI motility drug), special gruel, fluids,Vitamin B12, Vitamin E, multiple B vitamins, pipercillin (antibiotic), metronidazole (antibiotic), praziquantel (antiparasite). Thanks to all of you who donated funds for her very expensive treatments! Pumpkin made a full recovery and was released on September 20, 2009. She was fitted with flipper tags, a PIT tag and a satellite transmitter. CLICK HERE to view her tracking map!
Sage
Sage was a patient of tiny proportions! He (or she) was a hatchling green sea turtle – the first green sea turtle to visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center! He/she came in emaciated and not very active. He/she was found in Northeast Florida where he/she was potentially affected by the harmful algae bloom that recently occurred. Although not sure if the algae bloom is the cause of his washing back, what we do know is that he/she needed a little food and boost of energy. He/she was given immediate care and is now doing very well. He/she began eating on his/her own and gained weight each day. Although doing well, he/she appeared unable to use his/her back flippers, so physical therapy may be an option once he/she’s more stable. Green sea turtles that nest along Florida and on the Pacific coast of Mexico are considered endangered according to ESA (Endangered Species Act of 1973). Sage and Amelia were successfully released at approximately 10am Wednesday morning, December 12, 2007, courtesy of the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography’s research vessel Savannah and GSTC Aquarist, Jeannie Miller.
Simone
Simone arrived July 1, 2008 after stranding on Little St. Simons Island, a barrier island just north of Jekyll.Sheseems to be suffering from debilitated turtle syndrome, showing symptoms of emaciation, a heavy epibiota load (animals living on the turtle’s shell and skin), low blood protein and anemia. Further examination of this loggerhead revealed a missing right rear flipper, although the wound is old and completely healed. Xrays taken shortly after her arrival revealed 3 areas of crab and shell parts build up and potential partial blockage. Fortunately she is now defecating and this is no longer a concern. Based on her size, we can approximate her age mid to late teens, although she’s was a pretty small girl weighing 50 pounds. Despite her condition, Simone being a hearty eater responded well to treatments including iron supplementation, intestinal motility drugs, mineral oil, antibiotics, and removal of the epibiota on her shell and regular shell cleaning and medicating. Simone is now a healthy weight and has been placed on a diet! Her shell is healing well and hopefully she will fully recover soon!Simone
Simone arrived July 1, 2008 after stranding on Little St. Simons Island, a barrier island just north of Jekyll.She seems to be suffering from debilitated turtle syndrome, showing symptoms of emaciation, a heavy epibiota load (animals living on the turtle’s shell and skin), low blood protein and anemia. Further examination of this loggerhead revealed a missing right rear flipper, although the wound is old and completely healed. Xrays taken shortly after her arrival revealed 3 areas of crab and shell parts build up and potential partial blockage. Fortunately she began defecating and this issued became mute. Based on her size, we can approximate her age mid to late teens, although she was a pretty small girl weighing 50 pounds upon arrival. Despite her condition, Simone being a hearty eater, responded well to treatments including iron supplementation, intestinal motility drugs, mineral oil, antibiotics, and removal of the epibiota on her shell and regular shell cleaning and medicating. Simone regained her healthy weight and at one point had to be placed on a diet! Her shell has also healed, making her ready to release back into the wild!
Simone was successfully released from Jekyll Island, GA on May 13, 2009 during our week-long Nest Fest event and anniversary celebration. Prior to release she received tags and a satellite transmitter…CLICK HERE
Snowball (I’m adoptable!)
Snowball is a subadult loggerhead that came to the GSTC from North Carolina on November 26, 2008. Snowball was part of a mass cold stunning event along with Snowball and Chilly Willy, similar to the one that caused Tinkerbell and Cruella to strand in New England. Initially, Snowball was weak and lethargic and was not eating on his/her own. After slowly being warmed, supportive care, being treated with antibiotics, Snowball made a full recovery!
Snowball was released on April 25, 2009 from Tybee Island, GA during their annual Turtle Trot fundraiser. He/she was joined by 3 other rehabilitated sea turtles from our facilty:
Nikin & Chilly Willy (greens) and Blizzard (loggerhead). Prior to release Snowball was given tags and a satellite transmitter. CLICK HERE to follow Snowball’s journey.
Spitfire
Spitfire, a beautiful subadult loggerhead sea turtle that lived up to her name, arrived at the GSTC from the Marine Science Center in Volusia County Florida on December 3. 2007. She immediate began rambunctiously swimming about her tank and eating everything in site upon her arrival. She originally stranded October 1, 2007 off the coast of Daytona, Florida. Spitfire was floating and unable to dive correctly. Upon arrival to the GSTC she weighed 102 pounds. Spitfire was successfully released from Jekyll Island, GA on May 3rd, 2008!
Talbot (I’m adoptable!)
Talbot is a sub-adult loggerhead sea turtle who stranded on Talbot Island, Florida on September 20, 2009. Talbot was transported to the GSTC by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Service and arrived during one of our releases. Initial evaluation revealed that Talbot was in good body condition; however, she/he had a rope wrapped around both shoulders. The rope was deeply embedded into the skin and muscle on the left side. The right shoulder wound was much less severe; however, the very tip of this flipper appeared to have a compromised blood supply with the skin, muscle and bone sloughing off when he/she was presented to us. Dead tissue was slowly removed as it became devitalized and on October 13, surgery was performed by Dr. Norton to remove the end of the flipper tip and cover any exposed bone. Surgery was a success and Talbot is healing nicely, has a big appetite and enjoys napping under her/his waterfall. We continue to manage the left shoulder injury as an open wound with heavy debridement and topical medication once weekly.
Talbot was released on December 28, 2009 from Cape Canaveral National Sea Shore, FL where the ocean temperatures are still within an acceptable range. CLICK HERE to view Talbot’s satellite tracking page and follow her on her journey!
Vida
Vida, which is Spanish for “Life” was a loggerhead sea turtle that arrived at the GSTC on December 19, 2007 after stranding on the beach in St. Augustine, FL for 2 days. No one realized she was alive! She arrived weak, depressed, slightly anemic and covered in algae. She was treated with antibiotics and recovered in time for a spring release! On May 16, 2008 we prepared Vida for release with flipper tags, a PIT tag and a satellite transmitter. We intended to release her on May 17, 2008 during the Amelia Wild Festival in Amelia Island, FL. Unfortunately after placement of her identification tags, Vida responded poorly (probably stress-related, she was kind of a nervous turtle!) and began floating in her tank. Out of concern for her well-being, we decided not to release her at that time. However, within a week she was back to behaving normally, so she was released on May 24, 2008 from Amelia Island, FL.
