Incredible Work From Rescuers! Sea Turtle Was So Sick When He Washed Up On Shore

When a loggerhead sea turtle washed up on the shores of Hutchinson Island, Florida, he was lucky someone was there to spot him.

Now known as Blitzen – because he was found on Christmas Eve – the sea turtle was in terrible shape. He might have died if locals hadn’t rushed to help him.

“They got him out of the water and kept him shaded until help arrived,” Kristin Child, environmental program coordinator for Gumbo Limbo Nature Center (GLNC) in Boca Raton, Florida, told The Dodo.

Blitzen isn’t the only sea turtle who has fallen on hard times. Indeed, because all species of sea turtles in the world are threatened by of habitat loss, pollution and run-ins with boats and fishermen, rescuing turtles like Blitzen becomes even more important for the future survival of the species.

When Blitzen was first admitted to the rescue center, he was underweight at just 130 pounds. Adult loggerheads generally weigh about 250 pounds.

“Blitzen was covered in barnacles, emaciated, dehydrated, and had a wound on the back of his head,” Friends of GLNC wrote on Facebook.

Veterinarians gave Blitzen surgery to close the wound on his head.

Since then, he’s been recovering. His rescuers have been giving him medical treatments, topical honey applications to soothe his skin, fluids and a healthy diet to make him stronger.

And all that work has been paying off. He’s already gained 30 pounds, thanks to his fondness for squid and shrimp popsicles.

“Shrimp frozen in ice are an enrichment tool,” Child explained. “[It] helps keep his powerful jaws active.”

And soon Blitzen will be strong enough to be wild again. “We expect a full recovery and anticipate his release in early summer,” Child said.

To help GLNC rescue more animals like Blitzen, you can make a donation.

sa

Related Posts

teггіfуіпɡ eпсoᴜпteг: A Thousand Snakes Slither Beneath a Man’s Feet, deѕрeгаteɩу Seeking eѕсарe

In a spine-chilling eпсoᴜпteг that would send shivers dowп anyone’s spine, a man found himself in a nightmarish scenario as he ѕtᴜmЬɩed upon an astonishing spectacle –…

A Dᴏg and Hеr Puppiеs Arе Discᴏvеrеd Tiеd tᴏ a Bag in thе Middlе ᴏf Nᴏwhеrе

It is υпƙпᴏwп whᴏ abaпdᴏпеd this mᴏthеr bеar aпd hеr ρυρs iп a bag, alᴏпе iп thе middlе ᴏf пᴏwhеrе iп Brazil. Wе dᴏ, hᴏwеνеr, ƙпᴏw that…

Despite having a Ьгokeп leg, Mother Dog still ѕtгᴜɡɡɩed for more than 3 kilometers to find someone to look after her cubs.

accᴏrdiпg tᴏ thе Mirrᴏr, thе sƙiппy hᴏυпd is said tᴏ haνе bееп abaпdᴏпеd by hυпtеrs; aпd waпdеrеd arᴏυпd a marƙеt iп νеra, sᴏυthеrп Sρaiп, with a brᴏƙеп…

In an аЬапdoпed Forest, a Mother Dog, Who is Blind and Weak, Tries Her Best to Protect and Care for Her Puppies

A volunteer at a local shelter received a distress call regarding a mother dog and her puppies in need of help. Upon arrival, they discovered that the…

This old dog is carrying a painful 8kg tumor and was сһаѕed by the owner to wander on the street

It’s a ѕаd reality that many elderly dogs are often аЬапdoпed and left to feпd for themselves on the streets. This was the case for a dog…

Pit Bull is аЬᴜѕed, Duct Tape Covers His Mouth, He’s ѕсагed, deѕрeгаte Because He Can’t Call for Help

The plight of bait dogs is a topic that needs to be discussed and shared widely. These dogs are often used as practice targets for fіɡһtіпɡ dogs,…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *