Grand Canyon's Story
Entanglement & FP
Grand Canyon was discovered entangled in fishing line with another sea turtle patient, Haleakala. The fishing line was wrapped around Grand Canyon’s front and back flippers, and around several of their large Fibropapilloma (FP) tumors. FP tumors like these can grow large enough to limit a sea turtle’s sight and movement, and even become an extra structure for marine debris to become caught on. After three tumor removal surgeries and successful rehabilitation, Grand Canyon was released on January 25th, 2023!
Name: Grand Canyon
Species: Green (Cm)
Age class: Juvenile
Admitted: 9/7/22
Ailment: Entanglement, FP
Weight: 10.85 kg
Updates
9/2/22: Admitted to rehab. Fishing line carefully removed, and patient given a fresh water bath to remove leeches.
9/7/22: Begin supportive care regiment, fluid therapy, and daily honey application to wounds.
10/5/22: Bloodwork drawn and evaluated. Awaiting surgery.
10/11/22: First tumor removal surgery successful! Monitoring healing progress until second surgery.
10/14/22: Post-op exam and honey application to surgery sites. Flushed eyes with sodium chloride and applied medication.
10/26/22: Blood drawn and evaluated.
11/1/22: Veterinary evaluation, eye surgical sites healing well.
11/16/22: New FP growth on right shoulder, and left front flipper tumor growing larger. Surgical sites debrided.
11/22/22: Second FP removal surgery.
12/6/22: Some FP regrowth on left cornea, left flipper, and inguinal scutes.
12/20/22: Third tumor removal surgery.
1/05/23: Healthy post-op evaluation. cleared for release by veterinarian!
1/25/23: Tagged and released.
