Grant: 24-014C
Project Title: Endoscopy Equipment for Sea Turtles at Loggerhead Marinelife Center
Project Manager: Dr. Heather W. Barron
Organization: Loggerhead Marinelife Center (Non-Profit Organization)
Grant Amount: $26,739.00
Completion Date: 2025-02-28
Summary: The Rehabilitation Department at Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) treats over 200 juvenile to adult sea turtle patients and thousands of hatchlings annually. LMC has a large campus with an expansion that was completed in 2022, which doubled our capacity to accept patients, including those with fibropapillomatosis. We respond to both live and dead sea turtle strandings across 150 miles of Florida's east coast, perform necropsies, and assist Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with stranding- and rehabilitation-related activities. This project will purchase endoscopic equipment to be used with the Tele Pack Vet X base purchased previously. Currently, LMC only has a flexible endoscope, which limits diagnostic and surgical capabilities. A rigid scope that can be used for minimally invasive diagnostic and surgical procedures in sea turtles is desperately needed. An additional 9 pieces of equipment that, when used in conjunction with the Tele Pack Vet X and scope, will provide the optimum in diagnostics and treatment procedures for ailing sea turtles at LMC.
Results: Since receiving the STGP award, LMC has admitted 1,193 sea turtle patients (including hatchlings) for treatment and care for a variety of reasons. Some have been injured by boats, some by predator attacks, some by fisherman, some have been adversely impacted by environmental toxins, and some are suffering from systemic diseases. LMC purchased all of the endoscopy equipment requested, with the exception of the injection needle, which has been discontinued by the company. We requested and received a variance to ask for substitution with tubing that is necessary for the insufflator but was not included in the original request. Additionally, we purchased a pair of foreign body retrieval forceps that was not included in the original grant request, but allows us to expand the types of procedures we can do with the scope. As shipping of the equipment was less than anticipated, we requested a substitution of the residual funds towards the purchase price of the forceps and this was approved. All of the equipment purchased was installed and is working in the intended manner. With on-site endoscopy, Dr. Barron was able to make diagnoses in a rapid and minimally invasive manner and return turtles to the native habitat more quickly. Endoscopy was used in 31 sea turtle patients within this time period for a variety of things including: inspection for internal fibropapilloma tumors, removal of gastrointestinal foreign bodies, to inspect the extent of boat strike wounds beneath the carapace, inspection of the trachea and lungs post trauma and to guide blood patch pleurodesis. Sea turtles were also referred from other institutions to LMC in order to be scoped.