karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehab Center

TOPSAIL ISLAND, NORTH CAROLINA

CORN CAKE

Loggerhead
(Caretta caretta)

ADULT FEMALE
AGE, 30 - 40 years   Weight 350 lb
       Released 10/22/97
     Resighted Nesting 6/9/99

THE HISTORY

Corn Cake was observed nesting on Bald Head Island, NC during the summer of 1997. After successfully depositing eggs she suffered a prolapsed cloaca, expelling her right oviduct into the nest cavity while covering the eggs.
She received immediate emergency care from the interns on sea turtle watch that night. The 300+ pound Sea Turtle was transported by boat and then by truck to the Wrightsville Beach Pet Hospital and received further emergency care from Dr. Christy Redfearn, technician Susan Boger and staff.
From there she was transported to the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine where a hemiovariosalpingectomy (partial hysterectomy) was performed by Drs. Nutter and Lee.
The only known partial hysterectomy performed on a sea turtle.

CARE:	After the successful surgery, Corn Cake was brought to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. Here she was initially watched around the clock to monitor her breathing. We also administered daily injections of antibiotics for several weeks. After many unsuccessful attempts to feed her she became partial to squid and began to eat 5 - 6 pounds per day.
PROGNOSIS:	RELEASED 10/22/97 After a laparoscopic examination by Dr. Andy Stamper and the removal of the sutures, she was given final blood tests and was pronounced healthy and ready to return to the sea. At the time of release she weighed well over 300 pounds. The U.S. Coast Guard, Stationed at Oak Island, NC, graciously carried Corn Cake out to sea near the location from which she was found. She then performed the most beautiful swan dive from the side of the boat and in a blink, she was free, she was gone. Bald Head Island is monitored each night throughout the nesting season. All eyes will be watching for the reappearance of this magnificent Sea Turtle in coming years.
Continuing Update: 6/9/99	The greatest news possible, Corn Cake was sighted and successfully nested on Bald Head Island, June 9, 1999 and laid 142 eggs.. She is right on schedule, as Loggerheads will skip a year or two between nesting seasons.

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