Zubey

Species: Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)

Arrival Date: April 2, 2019
Stranding Location: Hobe Sound, FL

Initial Weight: 1 lbs.
Current Weight: 8.7 lbs.

Issue: Washback

Zubey is a juvenile loggerhead sea turtle patient that was found washed ashore in the sargassum on Hobe Sound Beach. The turtle arrived lethargic and is considered a washback. A washback is a sea turtle in the pelagic stage that lives offshore in the floating sargassum seaweed, and has been blown back onto the beach, usually by strong winds or a storm. These can include hatchlings, post-hatchlings and juveniles. The turtle will be released by boat 5-15 miles offshore in the floatin gsargassum matts once rehabilitation is complete.

PROGRESS KEY:

Good Condition
Fair Condition
Poor Condition

Patient requires continued treatment but is progressing well.

Minor adjustments have been made to the patient's treatment.

Patient is off all medications.

Progress Notes

04/06/2021 -Zubey was successfully released offshore by boat today with the assistance of LMC volunteers. Watch release video here >

04/02/2021 -Zubey’s continues to remain healthy and has been medically cleared for release. We are waiting for suitable habitat offshore to release Zubey. The turtle’s prognosis is excellent.

03/25/2021 -Zubey has been cleared for release.

03/19/2021 -

03/11/2021 -

03/04/2021 -Zubey’s blood work has been normal for the past month and has been medically cleared for release. We are waiting for suitable habitat offshore to release Zubey. The turtle’s prognosis is excellent.

02/25/2021 -

02/18/2021 -

02/11/2021 -

02/05/2021 -Zubey’s blood work has been normal for the past month and has been medically cleared for release. Zubey was taken offshore in early January in search of appropriate sargassum habitat, but none was found. Another attempt will be made shortly.

01/28/2021 -

01/21/2021 -

01/14/2021 -

01/01/2021 -Zubey’s blood work has been normal for the past month and has been medically cleared for release. Zubey was taken offshore in early January in search of appropriate sargassum habitat, but none was found. Another attempt will be made shortly.

12/31/2020 -

12/24/2020 -

12/17/2020 -

12/10/2020 -

12/01/2020 - Zubey’s blood work has been normal for the past month, and after evaluation by CT at Jupiter Medical Center, all systemic treatments have been discontinued. Zubey continues to grow and improve. We are now waiting for enough sargassum to appear offshore so that Zubey can be released.

11/26/2020 -

11/19/2020 -

11/12/2020 -

11/05/2020 -

11/01/2020 -Zubey’s blood work has been normal for the past month, and after evaluation by CT at Jupiter Medical Center, all systemic treatments have been discontinued. We are now waiting for enough sargassum to appear offshore so that Zubey can be released.

10/22/2020 -

10/15/2020 -

10/08/2020 -

10/01/2020 -- Zubey’s blood work has been normal for the past month, but the turtle requires continued medical treatment. The turtle is scheduled to return to Jupiter Medical Center in the near future to undergo CT evaluation of its pulmonary lesion. Zubey’s prognosis remains excellent.

09/24/2020 --

09/17/2020 --

09/10/2020 --

09/04/2020 -Zubey’s blood work has been normal for the past month, but the turtle requires continued medical treatment. The turtle was radiographed this week and the lung lesion we have been concerned about appears to be diminishing in size. Zubey is scheduled to go to Jupiter Medical Center next week for a CT study.

08/27/2020 --

08/20/2020 --

08/13/2020 -Zubey's white cell count remains normal and continues daily nebulizations for pulmonary disease.

08/06/2020 -Zubey's white cell count remains normal and a new treatment protocol has begun to address his emerging pulmonary disease.

07/30/2020 -Zubey's white cell count has normalized but a lesion was discovered in a lung on routine radiographs and the turtle was evaluated by CT at Jupiter Medical Center this week.

07/23/2020 -