Turtle upon arrival.

9/14 Turtle was caught during routine in-water work by the University of Central Florida Marine Turtle Research Program. Turtle was found to have some papillomas along with raspy breathing. These conditions resulted in the turtle being transported to Mote's sea turtle rehabilitation hospital. 9/20 Turtle underwent an endoscopic procedure to determine the cause of the raspy breathing and was found to have pneumonia. Papillomas were also removed at that time. 9/23 Turtle is eating well and swimming freely in rehab tank. Pneumonia symptoms are improving. 10/20 Moved Ben in with Dasher. These new "roommates" seem to be getting along well. 10/23 The new roomies seem to be doing very well, everyone's eating regularly. 11/20 Did surgery to remove papillomas. He recovered well that afternoon. 11/24 Ben's back to his normal self, eating well and his wounds are healing nicely. 12/21 Routine exam turned up some new paps, so he will be scheduled for another surgery in January, otherwise he's doing well. 3/14/2010 Ben is recovering well from his last surgery on Feb. 5. This turtle is currently housed in a large rehabilitation tank with Willis, Gumbo and Limbo. If the surgical wounds are completely healed and there is no sign of pap regrowth at this turtle's next exam, we will initiate plans for release.  4/2  Ben's last bloodwork showed an elevated white blood cell count suspicious of infection, so release has been put on hold temporarily and turtle is back on antibiotics.  Will recheck bloodwork in about a week.  4/15  Turtle has been doing very well, is now off antibiotics and has been cleared for release.  We plan to transport both Ben and Willis back to the East Coast of Florida for release on Monday!  4/20  Both Ben and Willis were successfully released yesterday back into the Atlantic!