Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)

Stranding Location: DeBordieu Beach in Georgetown County, SC

Arrival Date: 07/31/2007

Age: Adult female

Weight: 138.6 kg (305 pounds)

Case History

This big mama nested on the beach and then didn’t move into the ocean for hours. She has a very fresh wound in her carapace with bone fragments in the tissue below and a prolapsed cloaca.

Treatment

The wound was cleaned out and treated topically. She is getting injectable vitamins and antibiotics. The prolapsed cloaca is already better. 12/18/07 DeBordieu has been taken off antibiotics and is doing great! She is an amazing animal and I am so pleased that we were able to treat this beautiful big girl.

Updates

7 September 2007: There actually were egg follicles in DeBordieu which she is now absorbing, but only a small amount. We still believe that she had completed her nesting season.

25 September 2007: The hole in DeBordieu’s carapace has gotten larger due to exposed, cracked bone dying off.

19 May 2008: DeBordieu is doing well but the hole in the shell is healing very slowly. Her carapace is very thick (she’s an old gal!), making it harder to heal. She is an amazing animal!

17 November 2008: DeBordieu is doing great. The wound is gradually healing and is about 60% filled with new keratin. The right rear flipper still has limited movement and she is getting physical therapy each week. She such a feisty turtle so at 315 pounds, the therapy is really quite a chore! She gets frozen fish pops as enrichment but the live blue crabs are definitely her favorite! We look forward to a spring release of DeBordieu!

28 February 2009: DeBordieu is doing great and still WOWing all who see her during hospital tours. This old gal will be released this season and we look forward to seeing her off. Stay tuned for details of her release in the next few months!

Release Date

05/02/2009

Release Location

Isle of Palms County Park, SC