The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience
By sponsoring the care of sea turtle Rajah 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 Rajah 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, along with a monthly email update.
Please allow 2 weeks for mailed certificate to arrive. Emailed certificates sent within 2-3 business days.
For questions about sponsoring, please contact wlmb@whitney.ufl.edu.
Rajah is part of our “Disney sidekick” naming theme for 2023. Rajah arrived at our hospital on March 16 from the Daytona area and has quite a history. He/she was found floating in a marina with monofilament entangled around the left front flipper and also around an Fibropapilloma (FP) tumor in that location. Rajah also had monofilament coming out of his/her mouth.
During the intake complete examination, Rajah presented with a PIT tag, meaning this animal had been in human care before. PIT tags or “Passive Integrated Transponders,” are internal tracking tags that do not require power. They are just like a microchip for your dog or cat. We learned from the PIT tag that Rajah originally was a cold-stun patient from North Carolina in January 2020 and was released that spring.
On intake, Rajah was in good body condition with a mild FP tumor burden. FP tumors were located on both eyes, both inguinal regions (rear flippers) and both axillary regions (arm pit areas). After a complete exam, including bloodwork, radiographs were taken to identify any fishing hooks. Fortunately, no hooks were identified, so no emergency surgery was required. It is likely Rajah accidentally ingested the fishing line.
Quite the story for Rajah!