Grant: 23-001C
Project Title: Endoscopy Equipment for Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Project Manager: Shelly Marquardt
Organization: Clearwater Marine Aquarium (Non-Profit Organization)
Grant Amount: $35,000.00
Completion Date: 2025-08-21
Summary: Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) will purchase endoscopy equipment for the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Program. Endoscopes are an essential diagnostic tool in the rehabilitation of sea turtles. A small and large flexible endoscope will accommodate turtles of varying sizes, while the rigid scope will provide improved views during laparoscopic surgeries. Associated video processors will provide light sources, quality imaging, and data storage. These endoscopes will be used for bronchoscopies, colonoscopies, foreign body removals, fishing hook removal surgeries, exploratory surgeries, assessing internal fibropapilloma tumors, and biopsies. This equipment will improve efficiency and accuracy in the diagnosis and treatment of rehabilitating sea turtles at CMA.
Results: Thanks to Sea Turtle Grant Program, Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) was able to upgrade the endoscope equipment through purchase of a small flexible gastroscope, a large flexible colonoscope and associated operating accessories. The new endoscope is located in the surgical suite and guests are able to view procedures utilizing the equipment. Multiple endoscopies have been performed on rehabilitating sea turtles to assess for esophageal fibropapilloma tumors. The state-of-the-art equipment has provided the veterinarians with exceptional image quality and reliable operating equipment, ultimately improving the medical care of sea turtles at CMA.