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Case Synopsis for Cape Cod Turtles (Turtles U, V, and W)

aka 99-873-Lk, 00-803-Lk, 00-807-Lk

Species: Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)
Age Class: Juvenile
Gender: Unknown
Date Stranded: 12/8/99 (U), 12/1/00 (V), 12/2/00 (W)
Location of Stranding: Cape Cod, MA
Date of Arrival: March 23, 2000
Number of Days of Care: 125
Final Disposition: All three released

Comments/Disposition: All three turtles stranded due to cold-stunning. Turtle U is essentially ready for release and the other two turtles require some further treatment prior to release. All three have been treated at the New England Aquarium. 4/5 All three turtles have elevated white counts and have been started on antibiotics. Turtle V is eating well but the other two are being force-fed as necessary. 4/9 The other two turtles have finally started eating and the white counts seem to be coming down. All three are doing well. 4/19 Wounds on V and W are healing well and white counts continue to decline. 5/1 Turtles continue to improve as does their appetite. 5/15 All three turtles are eating well and almost all of the wounds are completely healed. All white counts are normal and all three turtles have been taken off antibiotics. We hope to be able to release the turtles in the next two to three weeks. 5/23 All three turtles have normal white counts without antibiotics. It is possible they may all be releasable in two weeks. 5/31 All three turtles continue to be normal with good appetites. Considering release next week. 6/6 Blood work this week was normal but slightly elevated, so we are going to wait until next week for release. All three turtles have been tagged with flipper tags and PIT tags to prepare for the release. 6/12 White counts were back up on Turtles U and V so they were started on medication again. Turtle W is normal in all ways so it will be released on the east coast this week. Others will stay until they are normal. 6/20 Turtle W was released near Daytona Beach on 6/14. Others continue on antibiotics. 7/11 Both turtles have been taken off antibiotics and will be observed for at least two more weeks before release is possible. 7/17 Both turtles are doing very well and may be releasable by late next week. 7/26 Both turtles were released today near St. Augustine, Florida.


Turtle U lateral view


Turtle V lateral view


Turtle W frontal view



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