Meghan the olive ridley turtle has shown continued improvement at Loggerhead Marinelife Center.
Photo provided
By Cheryl Blackerby
The olive ridley sea turtle that washed up Christmas Day on Lantana Beach in critical condition is steadily improving.
She had drifted in the Gulf Stream, all four flippers tangled in fishing net, before being spotted thrashing in the surf. She was rescued by diners at the Dune Deck and lifeguards at Lantana Public Beach, and transported to Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s turtle hospital in Juno Beach.
Dehydrated and emaciated, she weighed only 64.85 pounds; adult olive ridleys generally weigh about 100 pounds. The turtle has made steady progress and is now eating on her own, according to Loggerhead’s progress report. By Jan. 20, she weighed 69.25 pounds.
There have been only three documented strandings of the endangered olive ridleys in Florida: one in Marathon in 1999, one in Key Largo in 2000, and one in Sunny Isles near Miami in 2001. All three died.
Under the care of Loggerhead veterinarian Dr. Charles Manire, she was treated for external wounds — her front left flipper had extensive tissue damage — and given a glucose IV, antibiotics to prevent infection, and iron to treat anemia. She was tube-fed gruel (a slurry of fish and vitamins) one to two times daily. Five liters of air were extracted from the intestines, which was making her list to one side in the water.
Most likely from South America, the turtle, named Meghan by Loggerhead staff, is residing in a pool heated to temperatures of the water close to the equator.
You can visit Meghan in her outdoor pool. And you can see a live webcam of her at www.marinelife.org/page.aspx?pid=357.
Comments