This loggerhead stranded alive in the surf June 9, and had monofilament
line attached to it. A lifeguard cut the line and pushed the turtle back
into the water. The turtle could still be seen from shore because it was
floating. Sally Murphy, S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
biologist and South Carolina State Sea Turtle coordinator, and Jerry Gordon
with the North Myrtle Beach Police Department discussed how best to
retrieve the turtle. Using personal watercraft, officers were able to
maneuver the turtle closer to shore and then throw a cast net over it.
DuBose Griffin, DNR biologist, met Gordon at the police station in North
Myrtle Beach and transported the turtle to the South Carolina Aquarium in
Charleston.
The turtle was covered with leeches and leech eggs, according to Griffin,
and had a large lesion on the right side of its mouth also covered with
leeches. Overall, the turtle was in pretty good body condition but
lethargic. Jason Crichton of the South Carolina Aquarium met Griffin at the
Charleston facility to unload the turtle, which was releasing large amounts
of gas from its mouth. Aquarium veterinarian Dr. Tom Sheridan X-rayed the
turtle and speculated that it might have a problem in its gastro-intestinal
tract.
Griffin drove the turtle to North Carolina State University College of
Veterinary Medicine in Raleigh, N.C., to be under the care of Dr. Greg
Lewbart and Shane Christian. X-rays indicated a large hook in the esophagus
located about 16 inches from the beak. The next morning, an endoscopic exam
(under anesthesia) located the hook. Using an endoscopic biopsy tool, the
hook was slowly pulled up the esophagus. Its position in the esophagus
allowed the hook to be pulled toward the mouth without becoming hooked
again. It was still attached to the monofilament line, which was cut. The
hook was removed but the monofilament line remained. The hook was a large
circle hook, most likely from commercial long lining due to its size (two
inches at its widest point). The hope was that the monofilament line would
pass. The next afternoon, the turtle was returned to the aquarium, but died
later that afternoon.
A post-mortem examination conducted by Griffin and DNR biologist Tom Murphy
indicated that the hook had been in the turtle for some time. Both
esophagus and trachea had been punctured. All signs indicated a slow death
due to infection from the puncture wounds. "The sad part is that the turtle
died. The hook was as big as my hand and is just one of millions in the
ocean worldwide." said Griffin. "However, the good part is everyone was
working together to save it, including DNR, the North Myrtle Beach Police,
South Carolina Aquarium, N.C. State veterinarians and practicing students.
With all these groups and people working together, we might be able to save
the next turtle."
To learn more about the DNR Marine Turtle Conservation Program, visit its
Web site at To learn more about the DNR Marine Turtle Conservation Program,
visit its Web site at
www.dnr.state.sc.us/seaturtle/ Also, the South Carolina Aquarium in
Charleston has enlarged its turtle hospital, and many of its patients are
doing quite well. Donations are being accepted for the purchase of food and
medicine for the resident sea turtle patients. To read more about the
patients,
visit
our web site.
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