Matcha is a juvenile green turtle who was rescued in Bert Winters Park in Jupiter, and was brought to LMC due to severe flipper entanglement, loss of circulation and a related open wound on the same flipper.
Upon intake examination, our veterinary team noted that Matcha’s left front flipper was severely inflamed and had an open wound on the underside, likely from prolonged entanglement. Initially, the wound was treated with antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and manuka honey. The team even used medical leeches to help reduce swelling and encourage blood circulation in the flipper.
Despite valiant efforts from the team, Matcha’s flipper was causing pain and the tissue was decaying, with Matcha showing decreased appetite and mobility. This, coupled with x-rays showing bone infection, meant that the flipper needed to be amputated.
Matcha’s front left flipper was amputated on August 15, and this week their sutures were removed. Since surgery, this feisty little turtle is healing well. Matcha shows great mobility and a very healthy appetite. Our team has seen good survivability in three-limbed turtles and a few have even been spotted out in the wild by our partners at Inwater Research Group after release.
Matcha is a great example of this resilience, and is currently using the front flipper for speed and back flippers for steering as they reacclimate and get ready for release soon!