Turtle showing strangulated front flipper after being debrided.

6/22 Turtle has been transferred from Clearwater Marine Aquarium for treatment of its front flipper.  Flipper was entangled in fishing line (rod and reel attached) and has severe damage.  Amputation may be necessary.  6/25 Turtle was anesthetized and wound was agressively debrided.  There is enough live tissue on the flipper to justify continued treatment, rather than amputation.  Have started vacuum therapy to try to save the flipper. 6/29 Flipper had to be amputated yesterday, and turtle is doing well following surgery. 7/12 Surgical site is healing well. 7/20 Surgical site opened up and is now being treated as an open wound. 7/30 Surgical site is now healing well and turtle is gaining weight. 8/7 Doing well. 8/22 Healing well and continuing to gain weight. 9/1 Turtle continues to heal well and gain weight. 9/11 Continuing to improve and heal. 9/19 Continuing to do very well. 9/28 Continuing to heal well and gain weight. 10/19 Doing very well and almost completely healed. 10/28 Continuing to do very well. 11/13 Still doing well. 11/29 Turtle is being prepared for possible release next week. 12/5 Turtle has been approved for release on Friday. 12/7 Turtle was released this morning from the north end of Longboat Key.  Turtle swam away strongly is a straight line, no effect of a missing flipper was evident.