A 302-pound loggerhead sea turtle, named Pennywise, was brought to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach after being hit by a boat off Florida’s Atlantic coast. The turtle hospital’s equipment was not large enough to accommodate her size.
Medical Journey
The veterinary team at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center initially took Pennywise to Jupiter Medical Center in hopes of getting a CT scan on a human machine. However, this equipment also proved too small for the massive turtle.
Pennywise was then taken to Palm Beach Equine Clinic in Wellington, where staff used a horse-sized CT scanner designed for equine patients. Heather Barron, chief science officer and veterinarian at Loggerhead, remarked, "And, luckily, the horse-sized machine was big enough to fit this lady through."
Findings from the CT Scan
According to Barron, images from the CT scan revealed that Pennywise is carrying eggs—something that wasn’t known before treatment began. This is significant because loggerheads are an endangered species and often lay multiple clutches during a season.
Discovery and Initial Assessment
Pennywise arrived at the center on Monday after being spotted floating near Port St. Lucie by Inwater Research Group crews conducting research offshore using underwater cameras called submersibles.
Dr. Tom Langley of Inwater Research Group stated that it appeared as though someone may have struck Pennywise with an object such as an anchor or propeller due to blunt force trauma visible on her shell. Further review confirmed evidence consistent with a boat strike injury; however, it remains unclear exactly when this occurred due to limited data points available.
Staff estimated that Pennywise’s injuries were about four weeks old when she arrived—just days shy of nesting season beginning March 1st, according to local wildlife experts.
Additional Context
In addition to Pennywise’s case, the following statistics highlight the ongoing challenges faced by sea turtles:
- A total of 3 turtles have been treated for injuries caused by boats since January.
- The average cost per patient has increased from $2,000 last year.
- Staff estimate they will need $10,000 worth of food alone.
This situation underscores the critical need for awareness and protection of endangered species like the loggerhead sea turtle.
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