The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience
By sponsoring the care of sea turtle Brussels Sprout, you'll be supporting the Sea Turtle Hospital and the work we do to research, rehab and release these amazing animals. Your sponsorship can provide Brussels Sprout important medical supplies, nutritious food, critical exams and other types of care provided while at the Sea Turtle Hospital.
Suggested amount to sponsor the care of a turtle is $50. We appreciate gifts above $50 as well. For joining us, you'll receive a personalized certificate and choice to have it mailed to your home or emailed.
Please allow 2 weeks for mailed certificate to arrive. Emailed certificates sent within 2 business days.
For questions about sponsoring, please contact wlmb@whitney.ufl.edu.
Brussels Sprout is not available to sponsor at this time!
Our feisty little fighter!
Brussels Sprout, our 87th patient of 2021, is a juvenile green turtle found washed up at Anastasia State Park on August 18. The sea turtle was found with several Fibropapilloma (FP) tumors - on both eyes, both front flippers, and both lower flipper (inguinal) regions. Upon Dr. Brooke's initial examination, the animal presented with a thin body condition and was slightly bloated and swollen.
X-rays indicated significant gastrointestinal issues, causing the animal to float when placed in our rehab tank. After a week of medications and fluid therapy, Brussels Sprout was able to rest on the tank bottom “hind end positive,” where Brussels Sprout’s hind end floated and front flippers relaxed on the bottom of the tank. The hind end remained buoyant because of the heavy tumor burden in the inguinal region. Large Inguinal region tumors were removed first, resulting in Brussels Sprout being able to rest comfortably in the rehab tank with hind end on the bottom, along with the front flippers.
Since the initial FP tumor removal, Brussels Sprout has undergone three additional FP tumor removal surgeries and is doing well. This animal will need another few months of care in our hospital before returning home.