Fishing Gear Causes Flipper Amputation and Hook Removal Surgery
Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) released three sea turtles on January 10, 2019, at Fred Howard Park in Tarpon Springs, Florida. The sea turtles Zelda, Doug and War are small juvenile sea turtles and were successfully rehabilitated at CMA. Zelda and War both were impacted by fishing gear and needed surgery to recover. All three have healed and were successfully released at Fred Howard Park.
Sea Turtle Entangled in Fishing Line
Zelda is a threatened green sea turtle found entangled in fishing line that was attached to a mile marker in the Anclote River in November 2018. After being rescued by CMA, the team found Zelda had a deep wound to the left front flipper that was caused by the fishing line and the flipper needed to be amputated. The amputation healed and Zelda was ready to return to the wild.
Hooked by a Fisherman
War is a critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle caught by a fisherman off a pier in Safety Harbor in Pinellas County in September 2018. An x-ray determined that War had ingested a hook. The hook was successfully removed through surgery and War recovered well.
Learn how you can help protect sea turtle with safe fishing gear tips.
Washed Ashore
Doug, a juvenile green sea turtle, was found washed ashore on Belleair Beach in the beginning of December 2018. Doug received fluids and antibiotics and was quickly able to return to the wild.
All three sea turtles were cleared for release by both the CMA veterinarian and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
All marine turtle footage taken in Florida was obtained with the approval of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) under conditions not harmful to marine turtles. Footage was acquired while conducting authorized conservation activities pursuant to FWC MTP-18-172.