Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)
Stranding Location: Orleans, MA
Arrival Date: 12/11/2018
Age: Juvenile
Weight: 15.8 kgs (35 lbs)
Case History
This adorable little loggerhead was originally found on the beach in Orleans, Massachusetts on December 4th, 2018. Draco was quickly transported to New England Aquarium to be triaged. Draco’s body temperature was slowly increased and he received fluids, antibiotics and was stabilized. After about a week, Draco was cleared for transport and was flown down with four other juvenile loggerhead sea turtles thanks to pilots Chuck Yanke and Mike Lalley from the organization Turtles Fly Too. Turtles Fly Too is a network of private pilots who help transport cold stunned sea turtles to rehabilitation facilities all along the east coast. Sea Turtle Care Center (STCC) staff met Chuck, Mike, and the turtles at the Mount Pleasant Regional Airport to finish their transport to the STCC.
Treatment
Draco did great during his flight down to Charleston, and his body temperature was normal upon arrival. Vet staff did a physical exam, administered fluids and continued the course of antibiotics to prevent any secondary infections caused by cold stunning, such as pneumonia (lung infection) or osteomyelitis (bone infection). One he was through the admitting process, he was placed in a divided tank with Neville Longbottom.
Updates
December 15, 2018: Draco is doing wonderful! Though he was not eating well before being transferred here, he started eating a few days after admit. Draco is being pulled biweekly for antibiotic injections and is overall doing great in his new temporary home.
January 1, 2019: Draco is doing swimmingly and has settled into his new home. He’s a great eater and is almost done with antibiotic injections and eye meds. We are slowly increasing his diet and monitoring his weight.
January 15, 2019: Draco has finished up his antibiotics and looks great! Draco will receive a CT scan next week to check on his lungs and get another vet check.
February 1, 2019: All went well with Draco’s CT scan; his lungs look healthy! Other than that, not really much new news to report on this patient, as he’s just gaining weight and doing well overall.
February 15, 2019: Draco will receive a monthly weight and measurement, and physical exam by our vet team next week.
March 1, 2019: Draco was pulled for a vet check and is doing great! He has gained a little bit of weight since admit and looks great! We are hoping that he’ll be a release candidate in the near future!
March 15, 2019: Last week, Draco was pulled for tagging! This does not mean that Draco is ready for release just yet, but he’s definitely on the radar. During tagging day, he received a physical exam, blood draw and received flipper tags on the back of front flippers as well as a P.I.T. tag underneath the skin. Once released, these tags help us identify these individuals if they are ever encountered in the wild, or discovered on a beach again. We have sent off bloodwork to be evaluated and are awaiting those results. Draco looks fantastic and will hopefully be able to go home in the near future!
March 25, 2019: Big win for this Slytherin! Draco was released 45 miles offshore into the gulf stream with Harry Potter, an unlikely friend, Neville and Snape!
Release Date
March 25, 2019
Release Location
Offshore