On July 13, a subadult loggerhead named Sheldon arrived at our hospital after being accidentally hooked and then rescued at the Lake Worth Pier. Sheldon came in showing signs of chronic debilitation, the kind of slow decline that means a turtle has been struggling for a long time before we ever see them.
Sheldon was rescued by Lake Worth Pier staff and Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) conservation department staff who were on hand at the pier. As part of LMC’s Responsible Pier Initiative, pier staff knew not to cut the line, and exactly how to help get Sheldon safely close to shore for rescue. Specialty nets and hands-on training for anglers and pier staff help make sure turtles like Sheldon are safely rescued at more than 70 piers participating in this program nation-wide.
After being secured and transported to LMC, the hospital team removed the hook from Sheldon’s right flipper and started treatment right away. Antibiotics, wound care and intravenous nutrition because Sheldon wasn’t well enough to eat on his own.
That care is working. Last week, Sheldon started eating again. A good sign, but there is still a long road ahead before Sheldon is ready to go home to the ocean.
Sheldon is continuing to receive antibiotics, wound care and high quality nutrition including restaurant quality seafood. This is what it takes to treat one loggerhead, and Sheldon is one of more than 20 sea turtle patients in our care right now. Sheldon’s care is supported by our friends at Timbers Jupiter. You can follow along with Sheldon’s recovery and support his care through donating to our sea turtle healthcare program.