Near 300-pound distressed sea turtle rescued by U.S. Coast Guard crew in Lower Florida Keys
MARATHON, Fla. - Editor's Note: While the rescued sea turtle was initially reported by the U.S. Coast Guard as weighing 450 pounds, hospital metrics recorded her at just under 300 pounds, The Turtle Hospital reported. This story has been updated to reflect the provided information.
A distressed female loggerhead sea turtle is recovering after being rescued in the Lower Florida Keys by a U.S. Coast Guard Southeast crew over the weekend.
What we know:
Members of Coast Guard Station Key West rescued the massive sea turtle roughly seven miles south of Sugarloaf Key, according to a statement posted by the agency on X.
According to The Turtle Hospital, the sea turtle was swimming erratically at the surface. Through a coordinated effort between the U.S. Coast Guard and The Turtle Hospital, the turtle was safely transported to shore and taken to the hospital for treatment.
The U.S. Coast Guard Southeast rescued a near 300-pound distressed sea turtle in the lower Florida Keys. (Source: U.S. Coast Guard Southeast, X)
How large is the sea turtle?
The rescued loggerhead – named Timmy – is one of the largest loggerhead sea turtles The Turtle Hospital has treated in its 40-year history, the hospital said. She's estimated to be between 70 and 80 years old.
Timmy weighed just under the 300-pound mark and will be re-weighed on Wednesday for accuracy, hospital staff said.
Timmy, a female loggerhead sea turtle, was rescued on July 19 and is recovering at The Turtle Hospital in the Florida Keys. (Source: The Turtle Hospital)
Timmy's road to recovery
Upon arriving at the hospital, Timmy was treated with fluids and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Hospital staff also conducted an in-house blood chemistry test and collected blood plasma to screen for biotoxins. Separate blood samples were to a university laboratory for a blood culture.
"We are cautiously optimistic that Timmy will make a full recovery and return to the wild," Bette Zirkelbach, The Turtle Hospital General Manager, said in a released statement. "She has settled down in her hospital tank, is exhibiting more normal sea turtle behavior, and for the first time today had a hearty appetite and ate everything that was offered to her. She also defecated, which is a wonderful sign that her digestive system is working properly."
Timmy, a female loggerhead sea turtle, was rescued on July 19 and is recovering at The Turtle Hospital in the Florida Keys. (Source: The Turtle Hospital)
What's next:
Timmy will remain under close observation, including receiving follow-up blood chemistry testing at the hospital.
In the next few days, she'll take a swim test in the hospital's160,000-gallon pool to evaluate how she navigates in deeper water, Turtle Hospital reported.
What is The Turtle Hospital?
The Turtle Hospital in Marathon works to rehabilitate injured sea animals to release them back into their natural habitat. The hospital – which opened its doors in 1986, according to its website – also works to educate the public through outreach and is active in environmental legislation – working to make the beaches and water safe for sea turtles.
Over 3,000 sea turtles have been successfully treated since its founding, the hospital's website said.
The Source: Information in this story was gathered from the U.S. Coast Guard Southeast.