Joshua Tree's Story
Spinal Laceration
Joshua Tree was rescued and welcomed to our Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center after they were spotted floating at the nearby Yacht and Racquet Club here in Boca Raton. This little green has a spinal laceration wound on their carapace caused by a boat collision, and a few Fibropapilloma tumors. A week after arrival, the rehab staff discovered that Joshua Tree had passed pieces of plastic bag and fishing line in their fecal.
Joshua Tree has healed from their boat collision injury and underwent a successful tumor removal surgery on November 8th. After making a full recovery they were then released on December 9th, 2022 at Red Reef Park!
Name: Joshua Tree
Species: Green (Cm)
Age class: Juvenile
Admission date: 10/03/2022
Ailment: Vessel strike & FP
Weight: 7.35 kg
Updates
10/3/22: Admitted to rehab, spinal laceration cleaned and debrided. Turtle is very alert and active.
10/5/22: Blood taken and evaluated. Begin supportive care regiment with Dextrose & fluid therapy for low glucose levels. Offered food, patient at the sea lettuce.
10/6/22: Now eating fish, shrimp, and squid.
10/10/22: Passing plastic in fecal. Black, white, and green film and two pieces of monofilament (36cm & 51cm).
10/19/22: Blood drawn and evaluated. Discontinue Dextrose fluid therapy.
10/31/22: Very active, eating well, and resting on the bottom.
11/8/22: FP tumor removal surgery successful.
11/20/22: Patient is active healthy, and approved for future release!
12/9/22: Tagged and released!
