Our hospital team is proud to have rehabilitated and released most of our juvenile green sea turtle patients, but one little green turtle still with us has recently earned a special place in the team’s hearts. Meet Paddy, a juvenile green sea turtle currently under care and available for adoption!
Paddy was found in West Palm Beach on St. Patrick’s Day, and was rescued by our hospital technician Sarah, who reported to the location of the distressed turtle by kayak.
Sarah found Paddy stuck floating in one location with fishing line severely entangled around the left front flipper. Paddy was unable to move from the spot because the bottom of the line was stuck to the bottom of the waterway. Sarah acted quickly to net Paddy and the troublesome fishing line out of the water and brought the turtle back to Loggerhead Marinelife Center for care.
The fishing line was wound so tightly around Paddy’s flipper that it took care and precision to remove, and the team was concerned about possible circulatory or nerve damage. To say Paddy is a lucky turtle is an understatement, that flipper could have been irreparably damaged or they could have drowned. We are very thankful that the turtle was reported to the FWC Sea Turtle Stranding Hotline 888-404-FWCC (3922), and our team was able to help.
During the time Paddy has been with us for care, the team has treated their injuries with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medicines, wound debridement (cleaning) and topical application of Manuka honey to promote healing. You might have also seen Paddy in the hospital for heat therapy, where they get a little heating pack on the flipper to promote circulation. Paddy also gets weekly x-rays to monitor for any infection in the flipper.
Paddy has been a trooper since arrival and keeps using the flipper to swim, so that is a very good sign. The team is keeping a close eye on Paddy, and due to the regular heat therapy time in the hospital, this little turtle has certainly charmed the staff. We hope Paddy will be well enough to release soon, so be sure to check back for updates on their care. You can also help support Paddy’s care, since they are our newest adoptable turtle!