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Case Synopsis for Treble

aka ST11034

Species: Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)
Age Class: Juvenile
Gender: Unknown
Date Stranded: Apr. 24, 2011
Location of Stranding: Fort Myers Beach Pier in Lee County
Date of Arrival: Apr. 25, 2011
Number of Days of Care:
Final Disposition: Released on July 8, 2011 ... but turtle came back and was released again

Comments/Disposition:

Treble upon arrival with line coming out of the mouth. Hooks and line that were removed from Treble.
4/25 Treble arrived at the hospital with monofilament (fishing) line coming out of its mouth. The hooks and line were removed and the turtle was given fluids and anitbiotics. After being water tested the turtle was allowed to stay in the water over night. Treble was offered food but did not eat. 4/26 Treble has begun to eat and the water level of the tank had been raised. 6/2 Treble continues to eat and the wounds where the fishing hooks were lodged are healing. 6/13 Treble continues to heal and gain strength daily! 7/8 Treble was released today from the beach at Boca Grande!

7/15 In a sad turn of events, Treble was once again caught on a hook and line at the Fort Myers Beach Pier — this happened just seven days after its release! This is the first time we've ever had a turtle return to the hospital in this fashion. The new hook was removed once the turtle was brought back to Mote. We will contact FWC — the agency that oversees management of this endangered species — to see what the future holds for this animal.  7/31 Turtle needs some time to heal from being caught on another hook and line. FWC is advising us to release this animal in a much less populated area. (Traditionally, release guidelines indicate that animals should be released as close as possible to the location where they initially stranded.) Treble will be released in a less-populated area down south once the animal is ready to go. 8/13 We scoped Treble's esophagous and found only a small lesion(s) that appear to be healing. The lesion is most likely the area where the hook was removed. Treble is eating well. 9/12 Treble continues to eat well and blood is being monitored closely for a low iron level.  Will start iron injections and take a new blood sample in a few weeks to see how the turtle is responding to therapy. 10/10 Treble will have an exam this week to follow up on iron levels. Otherwise, the turtle is eating great and behaving normally. 11/7 Treble was released with Kellam, another sea turtle with a history of being hooked by anglers, on Thursday. The pair were released in a more remote area in the 10,000 Islands and we hope to never see either one of them in the hospital again!
 
Treble's release from Boca Grande on 6/13
Sometimes human activities can have a detrimental affect on the marine animals that fascinate us so much. A few things you can do to help wild turtles include:
  • Stowing your trash (especially cigarette butts and plastic) and disposing of it in a closed container on shore
  • Making sure your fishing line is in good condition to help reduce breakage
  • Using corrodible hooks — that way, if you accidentally hook a sea turtle, the hook will rust away.
You can also help Mote help these creatures by making a donation today.

 


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