Vet uses honey, other household items to repair turtle's shell
The sea turtle was rescued by the University of Central Florida (UCF) Marine Turtle Research Group in the Trident Basin at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and brought to SeaWorld Orlando for care and rehabilitation. 9-19-14
For an endangered green sea turtle rescued recently from the Trident Basin, recovery is oh so sweet.
The turtle, treated this week by SeaWorld Orlando's Animal Rescue Team, may wind up owing its life to a simple household ingredient: raw honey.
University of Central Florida's Marine Turtle Research Group recently rescued the turtle in the Trident Basin at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and brought it to SeaWorld Orlando for care and rehabilitation.
The five pound green sea turtle was found with a large wound to its shell, most likely from a boat strike, SeaWorld officials said in a release.
Following an examination earlier this week, the turtle received antibiotics, fluid therapy and cleaning of its wound. The shell fracture was older and needed dead tissue removed to help eliminate infection and speed up healing.
After the wound was cleaned, SeaWorld's senior veterinarian, Dr. Lara Croft, covered it with a variation of a honey bandage. She chose raw honey because of its natural antibacterial properties and because honey helps remove dirt, debris and dead tissue.
After the honey bandage was applied, a diaper rash ointment was put on top of the wound to make it waterproof, so the turtle will be able to swim.
"There is a considerable expertise these days," said Llew Ehrhart, professor emeritus at University of Central Florida who studies sea turtles.
"They're doing all kinds of new and technologically sophisticated things that rehabbers were simply not able to do 10 or even 5 years ago."
SeaWorld Orlando has rescued 36 sea turtles so far this year.
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To report someone disturbing a sea turtle nest or an injured, dead or harassed sea turtle call 888-404-3922 or dial *FWC on a cellular device.