Sea Turtle Hospital Patient – Waukesha

Initial Assessment

Waukesha

Green, Juvenile
(Chelonia mydas)

Patient Status

Current

Date Found

January 26, 2025

Location

St.Pete Beach; Pinellas County

Reason for Rescue

Floating, lethargic, cold body temperature

Weight

2.48 kg

SCL (Straight Carapace Length)

29.5 cm

Exam Findings

Slightly thin. Cold body temperature.

Initial Treatment

Fluids and antibiotics

Waukesha’s Story

Waukesha is a juvenile, green sea turtle who was found floating and lethargic in St. Pete on Jan. 26th. Waukesha experienced acute hypothermia due to our local cold weather, and their body temperature was back to normal values within a few days.

INTERESTING FACT: Naming theme: Hometowns (Waukesha, WI)

Treatment Updates

1.28.25

Waukesha is still very lethargic and was started on injectable antibiotics and fluid therapy. We will slowly introduce them to water once their behavior improves.

1.30.25

Waukesha is doing well in a shallow kiddie pool all day. We are monitoring their appetite.

2.4.25

Waukesha is improving! We have started to slowly incorporate deep water swimming. They were started on an official diet.

2.9.25

They are continuing to eat well and were started on oral antibiotics.

All marine turtle footage taken in Florida was obtained with the approval of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) under conditions not harmful to marine turtles. Footage was acquired while conducting authorized conservation activities pursuant to FWC MTP-23/24-172.