Public Sea Turtle Release

Cracker (2)

Cracker

Cracker, a juvenile Green sea turtle, was transferred from the Marine Life Center on March 8, 2005. Not only did this turtle suffer from Fibropapilloma, but Cracker was also hit by a boat. The collision with the boat resulted in paralysis of the rear flippers due to spinal cord damage. The blunt trauma from the impact caused Cracker to be a permanent floater. This turtle had his tumors removed with a CO2 laser scalpel by Dr. Doug in September of 2005. Unfortunately, Cracker exhibited re-growths, and underwent surgery again in July of 2006 for additional tumor removal. Cracker wears a lead weight which is fiberglassed to the shell to help with buoyancy control.

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