Santa was named by one of our volunteer’s children since we took the turtle in around Christmastime!

The holiday spirit is still thriving at our Zoo—even months later! For the past two months, our veterinary team has been caring for Santa, a juvenile green sea turtle patient who came to us in mid-December.  

 Arriving with multiple bone fractures, a damaged carapace and a wounded flipper, our team suspects Santa may have been injured after they were struck by a boat. 

The next week, our Healing Center staff got to work, surgically cleaning Santa’s various wounds and setting the turtle up with a feeding tube to assist with eating. While past patients with broken humerus bones have been able to heal on their own, the severe fracture in Santa’s front flipper became infected, leaving little options to save it so the veterinary team, our veterinary team decided to amputate the limb. We’ve also been cycling through different antibiotics to treat a septic infection in Santa’s blood. 

Our staff and volunteers routinely check Santa’s weight to ensure they are at a healthy spot as they recover. 

So far, Santa has been showing positive signs of healing and can eat on their own, said Sea Turtle Healing Center Manager Shanon Gann. We continue to keep a close eye on the turtle for any changes in their condition. 

Sea Turtle Healing Center Coordinator Jess Patterson performs routine bloodwork on Santa.

“We are feeling very positive about Santa’s recovery,” Shanon said. “As their recovery progresses, we begin to see their personality start to shine!” 

Shanon also thinks having a buddy may be helping Santa heal, too! The past month, we moved Santa into a tank with another sea turtle patient, Cupcake. The two hit it off and interact often with each other. 

“Sometimes, tank mates help each other in their recovery stages to remind each other how to ‘turtle’ again,” Shanon added. 

Though we are optimistic about Santa’s recovery, their injuries remind us of the importance of boating responsibly. Every day, sea turtles suffer vessel strikes that lead to critical injuries and, in some cases, death. 

We encourage the public to use caution on the water by frequently checking for marine wildlife. Investing in a propeller guard can also protect sea turtles and your vessel from harm.   

Shanon also reminds us that sea turtles are a keystone species in our ecosystem, making it crucial to protect their natural habitats. Boat traffic can disrupt nesting turtles by unintentionally blocking their path to the beach or disturbing their activities in nearshore waters. By reducing speed near the shore and following suggested speed limits, we can help protect these sea turtles. 

“As with all our patients, we are hopeful Santa has a full recovery and can go back home where they belong,” Shanon said. “It is our goal to give these turtles a second chance and live their best life.”  

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.