MARATHON, Fla. (CBS12) — A sea turtle rescued off the Lower Florida Keys on July 19 now has a name, and she’s proving to be a bit smaller than rescuers initially thought.
While initial reports from the U.S. Coast Guard said the rescued sea turtle weighed about 450 pounds, staff at The Turtle Hospital have since named the loggerhead Timmy and discovered she’s a bit more petite than first believed, tipping the scales at roughly 270 pounds. The turtle was rescued about seven miles south of Sugarloaf Key and brought ashore for evaluation and rehabilitation.
According to The Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Timmy is a female loggerhead sea turtle estimated to be between 70 and 80 years old.
The rescue began after recreational boaters noticed Timmy swimming erratically and alerted authorities. The boaters stayed with the turtle until the U.S. Coast Guard arrived to assist, helping ensure she could safely reach the specialized rehabilitation facility.
While initial reports from the U.S. Coast Guard said the rescued sea turtle weighed about 450 pounds, staff at The Turtle Hospital have since named the loggerhead Timmy and discovered she’s a bit more petite than first believed, tipping the scales at roughly 270 pounds. The turtle was rescued about seven miles south of Sugarloaf Key and brought ashore for evaluation and rehabilitation. (USCG)
Timmy is now undergoing a full diagnostic workup as veterinarians work to determine what may be causing her condition. Hospital officials said blood samples have been sent to a university laboratory for a complete blood chemistry evaluation, and staff members are awaiting diagnostic results that could provide more answers.
For now, the hospital’s team is closely monitoring the loggerhead while providing supportive care.
On Tuesday, The Turtle Hospital shared an encouraging update, saying Timmy had become calmer after receiving fluids and vitamins.
“A little Timmy update! She’s calmer today and settling into her shallow pool after receiving fluids and vitamins. We’re still waiting on her blood culture results for more answers. Keep those healing vibes coming for this sweet girl!” the hospital wrote on social media.
The positive signs continued Wednesday.
“Timmy catching a breath. We’re still waiting on the results of some of her diagnostic tests, but we promise to keep the updates coming! Thank you for all the support for this big gal,” The Turtle Hospital wrote in another update.
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Based in Marathon, The Turtle Hospital specializes in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of injured sea turtles throughout the Florida Keys and surrounding waters. The facility regularly partners with government agencies and wildlife organizations to care for threatened and endangered sea turtles found in distress.
As Timmy’s medical team continues searching for answers, the hospital is asking the public to keep the elderly loggerhead in their thoughts and send positive wishes for her recovery.