Injured Sea Turtle Checks Himself In To Turtle Hospital

Cowboy_Ken

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By Stephen Messenger 16 May 2014


Yesterday, wildlife rescuers at the Turtle Hospital in the Florida were amazed to find that a young sea turtle in desperate need of help had somehow managed to come to them. Staff discovered the animal, who was tangled in fishing line and had lost one of its flippers as a result, wading in the waters just outside their doors.
“Usually, patients come into the Turtle Hospital in the turtle ambulance,” said hospital manager Bette Zirkelbach to the local CBS news station. “This patient seemingly checked himself in.”
Veterinarians say the very lucky (or perhaps very wise) turtle arrived to the hospital not a moment too soon. In addition to the missing limb, he is also suffering from Fibropapillomatosis, a disease which causes cauliflower-like tumors that is often deadly among sea turtles when left untreated.
“The great thing about our patients is that they don’t require health insurance,” Zirkelbach said. “Everyone gets treated.”
The animal, dubbed Yertle, is said to be in critical condition, though his odds are infinitely better now than had he not found the help he needed.

Stephen is a staff editor for The Dodo. Follow him on Twitter @smessenger.
 

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