BEAU - Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) Juvenile; 6-8 years
Stranding Date 6/18/98 Euthanized 6/22/98
Bandage holding lower jaw in place at the KBSTRRC
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TOPSAIL ISLAND, NORTH CAROLINA |
| THE INJURY: | Rescued near Beaufort, NC. The lower jaw was torn off almost entirely. |
| THE TREATMENT: | The sea turtle was kept comfortable until surgery could be performed. At that time the injury was found to be much more severe than was first recognizable. The surgical remedy, if it would have been possible, would have incapacitated the sea turtle for life. Without their powerful crushing jaws, a sea turtle cannot eat. The decision was made to euthanize. |
