PHOTOS: Brevard Zoo Treating Sea Turtle Entangled in Fishing Line
Staff and volunteers at Brevard Zoo’s Sea Turtle Healing Center are treating Finn, a juvenile green sea turtle found entangled in braided fishing line. The patient was discovered south of Sebastian Inlet in the Indian River Lagoon by University of Central Florida researchers on December 13.
The netting, which was wrapped around all four flippers and crossed over Finn’s body, caused a deep laceration around and severe inflammation of the front left flipper. A Zoo veterinarian carefully removed the fishing line and flushed the area to prevent infection. Finn is settling into an outdoor tank while Healing Center personnel keep a close eye on the patient’s condition.
Finn also has several small fibropapilloma tumors in both eyes and on their underside. These growths are benign, but can impede a sea turtle’s ability to see, swim or eat if left untreated. They will be removed at a later date if bloodwork and a CT scan reveal the patient is a healthy candidate for surgery.
If all goes well, Finn will be returned to the ocean after a several-month stay at the Healing Center.
Derelict fishing gear presents one of today’s greatest threats to aquatic life. The Healing Center reminds anglers to stow their equipment before and after use, and place unwanted monofilament line in the bins located at Brevard County’s waterfront parks.
PHOTOS: © 2019 Brevard Zoo. All Rights Reserved.
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