loggerhead marinelife center - News - The Coastal Star2024-03-29T07:51:51Zhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/loggerhead+marinelife+centerPaws Up for Pets: May is a big month for honoring petshttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/paws-up-for-pets-may-is-a-big-month-for-honoring-pets2021-04-27T19:35:51.000Z2021-04-27T19:35:51.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p> </p>
<p><strong>By Arden Moore</strong></p>
<p>May Day. May week and May month. This is a big month for cats who will tolerate hugs, dog moms, Chihuahuas and sea turtles and yes, don’t forget hamsters.</p>
<p>When it comes to pets and wildlife, special days, weeks and months seem to be in extra abundance during May.</p>
<p>And that’s just fine with my orange tabbies, Casey and Rusty. They look forward to May 30, which is designated International Hug Your Cat Day. Casey and Rusty welcome my picking them up and giving them full-body hugs. </p>
<p>But other felines, like my senior cat, Mikey, prefer a gentle cheek rub or under-the-chin scratch.</p>
<p>Bottom line: Know your cat and respect his degree of affection reception.</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8857011253,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8857011253,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="8857011253?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a><em>Arden Moore with Casey and Rusty. <strong>Photo provided</strong></em></p>
<p>You can learn more about how cats think and behave from a “cat blogger” named Nigel. He was adopted by veterinarians Stephanie and Jeff Karpf, who operate the For Cats Only clinic in West Palm Beach. Each month, Nigel writes about all things feline, from the causes of skin disease to the pros and cons of pet probiotics to the true meaning of purrs. Check out his blog at <a href="https://vetforcatsonly.com/category/blog/">https://vetforcatsonly.com/category/blog/</a>.</p>
<p>A trio of proud dog moms from Boca Raton — Marta Batmasian, Andrea Kline and Constance Scott — are digging May, too. They will be recognized at the first Moms & Pups Bark & Brunch fundraiser for Tri-County Animal Rescue in Boca Raton on May 2 at the Addison. Thanks to the pandemic, this marks the first in-person fundraiser in two years for this nonprofit, 100% no-kill shelter.</p>
<p>Proceeds will subsidize low-cost veterinary care and surgeries to financially challenged pet owners at the rescue’s on-site veterinary clinic.</p>
<p>“We had six weeks to put this together and we are tying in with Mother’s Day, as we want to recognize the passionate dog moms at Tri-County,” says Bonnie Kaye, event organizer and president of Kaye Communications.</p>
<p>“Providing medical care for pets during this pandemic has been very trying for many and we don’t want people to have to surrender their pets for economic reasons. I have had five treasured rescues dogs — all from Tri-County.”</p>
<p>Batmasian, a Tri-County rescue advocate for about 20 years, says her current Tri-County alum is Tamar, a Maltese who loves chicken, broccoli, green beans and yes, yams.<br /> “Rescue dogs comfort you,” says Batmasian. “That unconditional love from a dog child is well worth the responsibilities in providing her care.”</p>
<p>Kline is in her seventh year on the Tri-County board and just adopted a rescued pup named Harry from a batch of dogs from Puerto Rico transported to Tri-County to improve their chances of finding forever homes. She also has Charlie, another Tri-County alum.</p>
<p>“This event is important because a lot of dogs we rescue have health issues,” says Kline. “We also want to help our community, especially those impacted economically by the pandemic.”</p>
<p>Scott shares her home with Gigi 2, a Maltese-poodle mix.</p>
<p>“Every day is Mother’s Day for me because of the dogs in my life,” she says. “I’m so glad we are having this event to raise funds for its veterinary clinic.”<br /> For more details on the Moms & Pups Bark & Brunch, visit <a href="http://www.tricountyanimalrescue.com">www.tricountyanimalrescue.com</a>.</p>
<p>Turtle Days observed Joy is also evident in the staff and volunteers at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach. Turtles are being doubly recognized. May 23 is World Turtle Day and June 16 is World Sea Turtle Day. </p>
<p>The LMC offers daily tours that include its outdoor sea turtle hospital. The staff also posts info on sea turtles on its social media channels. Guided turtle walks will begin in June, possibly closer to World Sea Turtle Day, according to Lauren Eissey, public relations and engagement specialist.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8857011670,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8857011670,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="8857011670?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a><em>A loggerhead. <strong>Photo provided</strong></em></p>
<p>“Experienced LMC scouts will patrol our designated section of Juno Beach searching for sea turtles,” says Eissey. “Once a loggerhead sea turtle is found and begins her egg-laying process, the group is led down to the beach to witness this unforgettable experience.”</p>
<p>To show your support for sea turtles year-round, consider reducing your plastic use: More than 8 million tons of plastic enter the oceans annually, causing entanglements and other issues for sea turtles. </p>
<p>Also, abide by boat speed limits and wear polarized sunglasses to better see and steer clear of marine life beneath the water’s surface.</p>
<p>To learn more, visit <a href="http://www.marinelife.org">www.marinelife.org</a>.</p>
<p>Take time to celebrate with your pets! They bring out the best in us.</p>
<p><br /><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Days for celebrating pets, other animals</strong></span></p>
<p>Sharing your home — and your heart — with a beloved pet is certainly to be celebrated 24/7, 365 days. But here is a rundown of pet holidays for May:<br />• National Pet Month<br />• Microchip ID Your Pet Month<br />• Lyme Disease Awareness Month<br />• Responsible Animal Guardian Month<br />• Pet Cancer Awareness Month<br />May 1: National Purebred Dog Day<br />May 1-7: National Pet Week<br />May 3: National Specially Abled Pet Day<br />May 4-10: Puppy Mill Action Week<br />May 8: National Dog Moms Day<br />May 9: National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day<br />May 10: National Hamster Day<br />May 14: International Chihuahua Appreciation Day<br />May 20: National Rescue Dog Day<br />May 23: World Turtle Day<br />May 30: International Hug Your Cat Day</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Arden Moore, founder of FourLeggedLife.com, is an animal behavior consultant, author, speaker and master certified pet first-aid instructor. She hosts Oh Behave! weekly on PetLifeRadio.com. Learn more at <a href="http://www.ardenmoore.com">www.ardenmoore.com</a>.</em></p></div>Highland Beach: Town plans to discourage residents from bringing balloons to the beachhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/highland-beach-town-plans-to-discourage-residents-from-bringing-b2016-09-29T13:13:28.000Z2016-09-29T13:13:28.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p><strong>By Rich Pollack</strong><br /><br /> Highland Beach town commissioners will be spreading the word about the need to keep balloons and other debris off beaches, but stopped short of creating an ordinance similar to one implemented by Lantana that bans balloons. <br /> The town received a request from the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, which is forming partnerships with communities in South Florida aimed at protecting sea turtles and their habitats. <br /> Part of that effort is a focus on reducing the release of helium balloons on the coast because they can burst and drop into the ocean. Sea turtles, which primarily eat squid, often mistakenly eat the balloons. <br /> Town leaders declined to pass an ordinance banning balloons on the beach, noting that the town does not have a public beach and that the ordinance would be difficult to enforce. <br /> Instead, commissioners asked employees help get the word out through the town’s newsletter as well as through posters and other educational materials.<br /><br /></p></div>Along the Coast: Turtle Meghan’s year-long recovery ends with release off Key Westhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/along-the-coast-turtle-meghan-s-year-long-recovery-ends-with-rele2014-12-31T16:36:49.000Z2014-12-31T16:36:49.000ZChris Felkerhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/ChrisFelker<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960550272,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960550272,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="538" alt="7960550272?profile=original" /></a><em>Megan is rescued on Lantana Beach on Christmas Day 2013.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Coastal Star file photo</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960550285,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960550285,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="7960550285?profile=original" /></a><em>Meghan gets a sendoff south of Key West on Dec. 11, 2014.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Photo provided by Melanie Bell</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"></p>
<p style="text-align:left;"><strong>By Cheryl Blackerby<br /></strong><br /> The little olive ridley sea turtle that washed up on the Lantana beach on Christmas Day 2013 was released back into the ocean Dec. 11 in Key West. <br /> In critical condition with all four flippers tangled in monofilament fishing line, she spent almost a year recovering at Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s turtle hospital in Juno Beach.<br /> Loggerhead staff drove the endangered olive ridley they named Meghan to Key West in the center’s turtle transport vehicle. She was carried out into the ocean on a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission boat with FWC officers assisting with the release, said Kathryn Rumbley, Loggerhead spokesperson.<br /> Around noon, with calm waters under a blue sky, Meghan took off into the ocean heading south toward home, probably about 4,000 miles away near Brazil, say turtle experts. <br /> She is the only documented olive ridley ever found in Palm Beach County and only the fourth to strand in Florida. The other three turtles died. <br /> Meghan had probably drifted north in the Gulf Stream, trapped in the line, until she was spotted thrashing in the surf behind the Dune Deck. A couple who were eating at the restaurant saw the turtle and pulled her to the beach. They cut the fishing line off her flippers, and put her back into the water. <br /> But Lantana lifeguards George Klein and Randy Reed kept a lookout for her and saw her struggling in the surf. They called the FWC, which took her to the nonprofit Loggerhead Marinelife Center.<br /> Dehydrated and emaciated, she weighed only 64.85 pounds. By the time she was released, she weighed 86.50 pounds. Adult olive ridleys generally weigh about 100 pounds.<br /> It has been a long recovery for the weary and sick little turtle. She had a very deep wound on her front left flipper from the fishing line, and was severely underweight, anemic, and had low blood sugar. She was given a glucose IV, antibiotics to prevent infection, and iron to treat anemia.<br /> A couple of weeks after she arrived at the turtle hospital, she took a turn for the worse and stopped eating. The center’s veterinarian Dr. Charles Manire called her condition grave, and said the outlook wasn’t good for a turtle that had been sick for quite a while.<br /> But she gradually improved after being tube-fed gruel, a slurry of fish and vitamins, twice a day. Five liters of air were extracted from her intestines, which made her list to one side in the water. <br /> The staff conducted daily glucose tests until levels were stable. She was put into a shallow pool, and then underwent rehabilitation, which included a deeper pool and hydrotherapy to strengthen her flippers.<br /> She wasn’t fitted with satellite tracking tags, so we may never know if Meghan finds her way safely back to South America.<br /> “We actually purchased the transmitter,” said Rumbley, “but a special permit was required which would take another year to obtain.<br /> “Of course, our hope is that she will find her way back.”<strong><br /> <br /></strong><em>Anyone seeing a hurt sea turtle or other marine animal should call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922). </em></p></div>Along the Coast: Olive ridley turtle found Christmas Day is on the mendhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/along-the-coast-olive-ridley-turtle-found-christmas-day-is-on-the2014-04-02T18:23:11.000Z2014-04-02T18:23:11.000ZChris Felkerhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/ChrisFelker<div><p><span><b>By Cheryl Blackerby</b></span></p>
<p> The little olive ridley sea turtle rescued on Lantana Beach on Christmas Day is on the road to recovery at Loggerhead Marinelife Center.</p>
<p> “She was moved into a bigger tank because she had been bumping her head against the sides of the smaller tank she was in,” said Kat Rumbley, Loggerhead communications coordinator. “This tank just gives her more room to swim.”</p>
<p> Meghan is the only documented olive ridley found stranded in Palm Beach County and the first this far north.</p>
<p> The turtle, whose condition was listed as critical when she arrived at Loggerhead, was treated for external wounds, given a glucose IV, antibiotics to prevent infection, and iron to treat anemia.</p>
<p> When she was rescued, she weighed only 65 pounds; the ideal weight for an adult olive ridley is about 100. She now weighs 79 pounds. In the days after she was found, she had to be fed intravenously, then was tube-fed a slurry of fish and vitamins. Now she is eating fish on her own.</p>
<p> Meghan arrived with a constriction injury to the front left flipper, which caused extensive tissue damage. X-rays showed no bone damage. </p>
<p> Her flipper wounds are all healing well.</p>
<p> Meghan started her journey around Central and South America, and at some point was swept along in the Gulf Stream — all four flippers tangled in fishing net — before landing on Lantana Beach, thrashing in the surf.</p></div>Along the Shore: Rescued olive ridley sea turtle improving with carehttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/along-the-shore-rescued-olive-ridley-sea-turtle-improving-with-ca2014-01-29T18:52:44.000Z2014-01-29T18:52:44.000ZChris Felkerhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/ChrisFelker<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960489654,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960489654,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960489654?profile=original" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>Meghan the olive ridley turtle has shown continued improvement at Loggerhead Marinelife Center.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Photo provided</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p><span><b>By Cheryl Blackerby </b></span></p>
<p> The olive ridley sea turtle that washed up Christmas Day on Lantana Beach in critical condition is steadily improving.</p>
<p> 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.</p>
<p> 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. </p>
<p> 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. </p>
<p> 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.</p>
<p> 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. </p>
<p> You can visit Meghan in her outdoor pool. And you can see a live webcam of her at <a href="http://www.marinelife.org/page.aspx?pid=357">www.marinelife.org/page.aspx?pid=357</a>.</p></div>Along the Coast: First-ever olive ridley sea turtle rescued in Palm Beach Countyhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/along-the-coast-first-ever-olive-ridley-sea-turtle-rescued-in-pal2014-01-02T17:30:00.000Z2014-01-02T17:30:00.000ZChris Felkerhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/ChrisFelker<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960486863,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960486863,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="360" alt="7960486863?profile=original" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>Loggerhead Marinelife Center technicians treat Meghan, an underweight</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>olive ridley turtle rescued at Lantana.</em><b> </b></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><span><b><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960486486,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960486486,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="203" alt="7960486486?profile=original" /></a></b></span></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>Beachgoer Patrick Griffin removes the net</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>that was wrapped around Meghan.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><b>Photos provided</b></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><b><strong style="font-family:Verdana, helvetica, arial, 'Gill Sans', sans-serif;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12px;line-height:1.7em;"><strong style="font-family:Verdana, helvetica, arial, 'Gill Sans', sans-serif;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12px;line-height:1.7em;">Progress Note: 1/13/2014</strong></strong> - Meghan has been eating on her own for the past week. Her bloodwork is improving slightly. She is getting subcutaneous fluids daily as well as her prescribed antibiotics and iron injections.</b></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"></p>
<p><span><b>By Cheryl Blackerby</b></span></p>
<p> The rescue of the little olive ridley sea turtle, who made a likely 4,000-mile journey from around Brazil to Florida, was nothing short of a miracle.</p>
<p> She probably drifted in the Gulf Stream — all four flippers tangled in fishing net — before landing on Lantana Beach, thrashing in the surf, on Christmas Day.</p>
<p> She is in critical condition, but her rescuers are hopeful. She is the only documented olive ridley stranded in Palm Beach County and the first this far north, according to Loggerhead Marinelife Center.</p>
<p> A couple who were eating at the Dune Deck restaurant saw the turtle and pulled her to the beach. They cut the fishing net off her flippers, which was the right thing to do. Then they did the wrong thing — put her back into the water on the advice of a passerby. </p>
<p> But Lantana lifeguards George Klein and Randy Reed kept a lookout for her and saw her struggling in the surf. They called Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which took her to the nonprofit Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach. </p>
<p> Underweight and dehydrated, the turtle, named Meghan by the staff, is in grave condition. </p>
<p> “She has been sick for quite a while, and is underweight, anemic and has low blood sugar. Her condition is grave until we know exactly what’s going on,” said the center’s veterinarian Dr. Charles Manire.</p>
<p> She weighs only 64.85 pounds. Adult olive ridleys generally weigh about 100 pounds.</p>
<p> She has a very deep wound on her front left flipper from the net, but that is expected to heal, he said.</p>
<p> “The wounds are minor in comparison to the other problems. We’re in the process of getting x-rays and blood work to determine what’s wrong,” he said.</p>
<p> She is being treated for external wounds, given a glucose IV, antibiotics to prevent infection and iron to treat the anemia. X-rays showed no bone damage.</p>
<p> The staff is conducting daily glucose tests until levels are stable. She was put into a shallow pool, and if she survives, will undergo rehabilitation, which will include a deeper pool and hydrotherapy to strengthen her flippers, for about two months, said Tom Longo, the center’s communications manager. </p>
<p> She will not be released in Florida, but probably in South America. The details will be worked out with experts, he said. “We’re not sure where she will be released. But we can’t imagine her being released here.”</p>
<p> There have been only three 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 turtles died. </p>
<p> The center’s staff is hoping Meghan will make it. Her Welsh name, after all, means strong and mighty. And Saint Meghan is the patron saint of victims of abuse.</p>
<p> Florida Fish and Wildlife decides where rescued animals go, and the agency decided to take her to Loggerhead. “They determine who has the space and capability to care for the turtle. We have a surgical suite, state-of-the-art x-ray equipment, and we do in-house blood work,” said Longo.</p>
<p> The center treated 80 sea turtles in 2013, which is “on the high end,” said Longo. The average number of turtles treated is 60 to 80.</p>
<p> Meghan has a shell 26 inches in length. The olive ridley is named for its greenish color, and is closely related to the Kemp’s ridley with the primary distinction being that olive ridleys are found only in warmer waters, according to National Geographic. Olive and Kemp’s ridleys are the smallest of the sea turtles. Fishing nets have taken a large toll, frequently snagging and drowning the turtles.</p>
<p> Visitors to Loggerhead MarineLife Center can see Meghan in her new shallow tank. And they will be able to monitor her progress if she gets stronger and is moved to the deeper pool.</p>
<p> Of course, no one knows for sure where Meghan’s journey started, where she got tangled in the net, or how long she was adrift in the Gulf Stream. Experts speculate that she came from Brazil, the olive ridleys’ usual habitat in the Atlantic.</p>
<p> Only she knows.</p>
<p> But one thing is definite: Christmas Day was her lucky day, and as of Dec. 31, Meghan is getting the care she needs.</p>
<p> Anyone seeing a hurt sea turtle or other marine animal, should call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).</p></div>