Mayor Mort

Species: Loggerhead Sea Turtle
(Caretta Caretta)

Arrival Date: August 6, 2016
Stranding Location: St. Lucie, Florida

Initial Weight: 146.6 lbs.
Current Weight: 162.9 lbs.

Issue: Chronic Debilitated
Current Condition: Improving

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IN MEMORY OF MAYOR MORT LEVINE:

Our sea turtle patient “Mayor Mort” was lovingly named in memory of Juno Beach’s late Mayor, Mayor Mort Levine who proudly served the town since 2008 until his passing in March of 2016. Mayor Levine was extremely proud of the sea turtle hospital at Loggerhead Marinelife Center and of our town’s magnificent beaches known for attracting sea turtles – and tourists from around the world. Mayor Levine’s favorite quote about his beloved town was, “Juno Beach – World Headquarters…”  We are proud to continue Mayor Mort Levine’s legacy and encourage his friends to become involved in “Mayor Mort’s” recovery here at our sea turtle hospital.

A celebration of sea turtle, Mayor Mort’s future recovery and Mayor Mort Levine’s beautiful legacy will occur beach-side when our patient “Mayor Mort” is released. We invite the public to join in this future celebration, details to follow. Many thanks to the supporters who are helping us care for Mayor Mort including the Town of Juno Beach.

ADMISSION NOTE:

Mayor Mort is a large sub-adult loggerhead turtle that was found in the St. Lucie Power Plant Intake Canal. The turtle was lethargic, underweight, and had numerous large barnacles on its carapace and hundreds of small barnacles and marine leeches on its skin. The turtle will be kept in freshwater for the first few days to remove the external parasites. Bloodwork showed that the turtle is anemic and hypoglycemic. Mayor Mort will receive fluids, antibiotics, and iron injections as prescribed.

PROGRESS KEY:

 This turtle is progressing well and responding to therapy as desired.

There is a minor issue that we are working to resolve.

More details to follow.

PROGRESS NOTES:

02/16/2017 – Mayor Mort was released from Loggerhead Park on February 14th. Track Mayor Mort Here >>

02/08/2017 – Mayor Mort has been approved for release.  The turtle will be satellite tagged. You will be able to check out this turtle’s progress later next week on our web page.

01/25/2017 – Mayor Mort’s appetite is still variable but is likely due to season and water temperature.

01/12/2017 – Radiographs reveal that the lungs are improving and treatment has been continued.

01/04/2017 – 

12/29/2016 – 

12/21/2016 – 

12/14/2016 – 

12/09/2016 – The turtle’s appetite has improved. We are planning to take radiographs next week to evaluate the turtle’s lungs.

11/30/2016 – 

11/23/2016 – 

11/17/2016 – 

11/10/2016 – Mayor Mort’s white cell count is normal. The turtle’s appetite has been variable.

11/02/2016 – 

10/26/2016 – 

10/20/2016 – 

10/14/2016 – Mayor Mort continues to show rapid improvement. Treatment for parasites has begun.

9/29/2016 – 

9/22/2016 – 

9/14/2016 – Anemia is responding well, now that bone marrow has begun to function.

9/07/2016 – 

9/01/2016 – This turtle also received parenteral nutritional supplementation to help stimulate the bone marrow, which was effective. The bone marrow has responded and the parenteral supplementation has been discontinued. The turtle is eating well and gaining quite a bit of weight.

8/25/2016 – The turtle is eating well and gaining weight. Parenteral nutrition has been used as a supplement, but will likely be discontinued soon.

8/17/2016 – This turtle’s response to initial treatment is encouraging. Seems to be progressing well.

8/6/2016 –  Mayor Mort arrived at LMC from the FPL St. Lucie Power Plant.