Talbot

Georgia Sea Turtle Center and Georgia Aquarium Monitoring of Released Turtles

A project of Georgia Sea Turtle Center.

click map for full-size version Talbot was released in Cape Canaveral, Florida where the water temperatures are still in an acceptable range. Originally we were going to hold her at the GSTC until spring, however a recent cold-stunning event in the northeastern US has prompted a need for space for incoming turtles needing care. So we were able to coordinate with FFWCC and the Georgia Aquarium to conduct the release on December 28, 2009.

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Species: Loggerhead
Life Stage: Sub-Adult
Gender: Female
Release Date: 2009-12-28 12:00:00
Release Location: Cape Canaveral, FL
Last Location: 2010-07-17 03:14:11

Background

Talbot is a sub-adult loggerhead sea turtle who stranded on Talbot Island, Florida on September 20, 2009. Initial evaluation revealed that Talbot was in good body condition; however, she/he had a rope wrapped around both shoulders. The rope was deeply embedded into the skin and muscle on the left side. The right shoulder wound was much less severe; however, the very tip of this flipper appeared to have a compromised blood supply with the skin, muscle and bone sloughing off when he/she was presented to us. Dead tissue was slowly removed as it became devitalized. In October 09, Talbot underwent a surgery to remove the end of the flipper tip and cover any exposed bone. The surgery was a success and Talbot healed nicely, enabling her to be approved for release back into the wild!

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