One of our largest sea turtle patients of the year is receiving extra special care thanks to a community partnership.  

Sophia, a loggerhead weighing in at around 140 pounds, was brought to us in May after being found stranded in the Indian River Lagoon. Unfortunately, Sophia was in rough shape when she arrived at our East Coast Zoological Foundation’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center at Brevard Zoo. This turtle had multiple fractures on their carapace (the top of the shell) and fishing line attached to a hook sticking out of their mouth.  

During Sophia’s intake exam, our team was able to clean up this turtle’s external wounds and conducted a CT scan and endoscopy to see if there was internal damage from the fishing hooks. Shockingly, about 18 more fishing hooks were discovered inside of Sophia’s digestive tract.  

Our veterinary team was able to immediately remove two hooks, but the others were too embedded in her tract to easily remove with the equipment our team had on hand. Thanks to Orlando Health Melbourne Hospital, our team was able to borrow different tools to attempt removal of the remaining hooks and line. This partnership between our two organizations also created the opportunity for collaboration between our Zoo’s own board-certified veterinarians and Orlando Health physicians, both of which have joint expertise in minimally invasive gastroenterology procedures.  

During the procedure, Dr. George Christophi, gastroenterologist at Orlando Health Melbourne Hospital, was able to remove one hook from Sophia’s esophagus. Sophia is now in stable condition, and our team continues to offer her supportive care as she recovers.  

While our team considered further procedures with even more specialized equipment from Orlando Health, a recheck CT of Sophia shows that the remaining hooks in her small intestines are far away from her stomach, making them nearly impossible to access with a scope. The hooks don’t seem to be causing an obstruction, and there’s no evidence of any issues from fishing line in her intestines either. The risks of this procedure outweigh the benefits, so our team is moving toward our end goal for Sophia: Her return home to the ocean.  

Estimated to be just shy of 40 years old, Sophia plays important roles in her ocean ecosystem, from controlling prey populations like crabs to supporting her own species’ population by reproducing. 

We appreciate the support of Orlando Health Melbourne Hospital in ensuring our rehabilitation species and Zoo animal residents continue to receive incredible medical care at our organization.  

We hope to say bon voyage to Sophia in the coming months as long as her health continues to improve. Keep an eye on our social media channels and blog for more updates! 

Have you found a sea turtle that needs help? Visit this page or call the Sea Turtle Preservation Society at 321-206-0646. Want to help the Sea Turtle Healing Center? Support our Zoo, or view our Healing Center’s wishlist. 

Brevard Zoo is an independent, not-for-profit organization that receives no recurring government funding for our operating costs. Your generous support enables us to continue to serve our community and continue our vital animal wellness, education and conservation programs.