Pumpkin

Georgia Sea Turtle Center - Monitoring of Rehabilitated Patients

A project of Georgia Sea Turtle Center.

click map for full-size version Pumpkin quickly headed north after her release from Jekyll Island, GA. Hopefully her satellite tracking data will provided us with valuable information about sea turtle behavior, feeding and foraging grounds and migratory pathways! Find out more information about these turtles by visiting: www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org

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Species: Loggerhead
Life Stage: Juvenile
Gender: Female
Release Date: 2009-09-20 19:00:00
Release Location: Jekyll Island, GA
Last Location: 2009-12-09 02:11:16

Background

Pumpkin was found on October 16, 2008, by a helpful boater while she was in Pumpkin Hill Creek (hence the name Pumpkin) down in Florida and immediately transferred to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Pumpkin arrived with a very low red blood cell count, overload of algae and leeches, lethargic, weak and floating. Pumpkin also had a detached retina in her right eye.



Pumpkin responded very well to treatment and, in May 2009, was approved for release. Pumpkin's anticipated release date was to be May 29, 2009. A few days prior to the release, she was given a final exam, flipper tags, a PIT tag and a satellite transmitter. Unfortunately it appears that stress from these procedures got the better of Pumpkin. Upon returning to her tank, she began floating. Her GI tract became obstructed and there was some sloughing of her intestinal tract. The decision was made to put her on a course of antibiotics and keep her at the GSTC a little longer.



Pumpkin again responded very well and was FINALLY released on September 20, 2009 during the annual Jekyll Island Shrimp and Grits Festival. She was joined by Night Watch (loggerhead) and Skidaway (Kemps ridley).

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