Molly

Patient Report

Name: Molly

Species: Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Weight: 170 lbs.

Reason for visit: Entanglement and Fibropapillomas (FP)

Location found: Stock Island

Status Report

8/9/2025 Meet Molly, a loggerhead sea turtle that was rescued in the lower keys and admitted to The Turtle Hospital. Molly was found entangled in trap line and fishing line of Stock Island in the Florida Keys she was attached to an abandoned crab trap when rescuers spotted her. Encrusted in barnacles with heavy tumor load, Molly’s blood levels are critically low. She has received fluid treatment, antibiotics, vitamins, and pressure wrap on the large tumor o control bleeding.
8/12/2025 Molly Scheduled for surgery! This evening molly went into surgery with Dr. Terry Norton and our rehabilitation team to remove a large tumor on her front left flipper. The surgical team successfully removed the ginormous tumor in a three-hour surgery and is now in better condition!
8/13/2025 Molly has been doing well post-surgery, she has been eating a good amount mackerel, some squid, and munched on some lobster this evening! Molly has a long road in recovering and we are hoping for her immune system to be strong. Once her blood levels are built up Molly will get the rest of her tumors removed.
8/20/2025 Molly has been gliding easier in the water in her rehab tank at The Turtle Hospital, she’s been feeling lighter after her barnacle and ginormous tumor removal surgery.
8/27/2025 Molly’s PVC (blood packed cell value) have increased. We are not just waiting for blood values to increase so we can begin with some more tumor surgeries. Molly’s diet has also been increased to help increase blood values and she is officially weighting 170lbs now! YAY MOLLY!!!
9/3/2025 Today Molly had some exams with Dr. Terry and as usual was her excited feisty self she had her stiches removed from her front left flipper where her past ginormous tumor has been removed from surgery, Her PVC levels have been increasing! She also received an oral exam and some wound care on her carapace (shell) to disinfect areas where barnacles have been removed- This step is crucial, as barnacle removal can leave behind raw or irritated patches that are vulnerable to infection if not properly treated so we disinfect to keep bacteria away and our turtles shells healthy- and Molly was estimated to be 25-30 years old!
9/24/2025 Molly was scheduled for her last fibropapilloma tumor surgeries! Dr. Terry and our rehabilitation team successfully removed tumors from Molly’s neck, inguinal area, eyes and is now recovering well in her tank after surgery. GO MOLLY!!!
10/28/2025 – Molly got some enrichment scrubs today and she has some BIG news! Molly is being considered for release in November! Molly has been recovering well from her huge tumor removal surgery, and its looking promising for her return home.

Release!!

the turtle hospital is proud to announce the release of molly a resilient loggerhead sea turtle who captured hearts worldwide during her extraordinary rehabilitation journey. molly the first loggerhead of her size to survive the removal of such a larger tumor will return to her ocean home Tuesday, November 25th at Higgs beach in key west. Molly was rescued in early august off-key west by local charter boat captain, who discovered her weal, anemic, and entangled in a stone crab trap line. she was covered in barnacles and suffering from a massive fibropapilloma tumor on her shoulder. Captain Nate contacted the turtle hospital, and Molly was transported to the facility via ambulance to begging her critical care. upon arrival the medical team at the turtle hospital began intensive treatment. molly regimen included broad spectrum antibiotics, fluids, vitamins, a healthy diet of mixed seafood, and multiple surgeries to remove her numerous tumors. The colossal tumor on her shoulder weighed an astounding 10.1 pounds. molly beat the odds and her incredible recovery has inspired millions. videos of her journey have garnered over 80 million views on social media, and people have traveled from across the country to visit her surinf her stay at the hospital. Her story has profoundly increased public awarness and love for sea turtle and the challenges they face. for her release molly will be fitted with a small satellite transmiter tag. the public will be able to follow mollys journey at seayou can click in the link here to follow Molly’s Journey!! -> Molly – Sea Turtle Conservancy