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Jonah
Jonah’s Amazing Journey Ends As The Popular Loggerhead Sea Turtle Passes Away
Juno Beach, FL (July 29, 2008) – Loggerhead Marinelife Center sadly reports that Jonah, the popular loggerhead sea turtle passed away on Monday, July 28.
Jonah’s miraculous story began three years ago; he was swallowed by a fish; that was caught by a local fisherman. The fisherman discovered the hatchling after the fish regurgitated him. He brought the hatchling to LMC where he stayed for over two years as the educational turtle. Last April, Jonah was successfully released in the Atlantic. Jonah returned to LMC on June 15 after he swallowed a fishing hook and line; a local fisherman spotted him and brought him back for rehabilitation.
“Although Jonah’s neurological condition had been steadily improving during his 6 week stay at the LMC, we noted a marked decrease in his activity level Friday. By Sunday Jonah was experiencing muscle tension and contraction that had resulted in his front flippers being clamped beneath him. This was a new severe, neurological sign that he had not shown previously. He was dry docked Sunday night due to concern of potential drowning due to his weakness. Jonah was found unresponsive this morning and cardiac arrest was confirmed via ultrasound. The cause of death will be determined after analysis of the tissues taken at necropsy, but appears to be the neurological disease that results in paralysis in sea turtles. This is the same condition that resulted in mass strandings in 2000, and the investigation into the cause is ongoing.” said Dr. Nancy Mettee, DMV for Loggerhead Marinelife Center.
“Jonah was a true ambassador for loggerheads. He educated thousands of people about sea turtles and marine life during his stay at the LMC. We are confident that Jonah’s story has inspired supporters to better appreciate the marine environment and make personal changes to support its protection. Jonah swallowed a metal hook, leader and line. His behavior was typical of loggerheads who will ingest plastic, hooks and other debris left in the ocean. It is a sad time for all of us at the LMC and we are so thankful to the many people that supported Jonah’s care through adoptions,” said Nanette Lawrenson, Executive Director.
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Caretta caretta (loggerehead)
Stranding Location: At Sea
Arrival Date: Summer 2005
Initial Weight: .22 lbs. Current Weight: 27.5 lbs. |
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Fishermen offshore caught a few blue runners (a type of Jack used as bait for bigger fish). The fish were placed in the baitwell on their boat. Later they discovered a loggerhead hatchling in the baitwell. Apparently a blue runner had taken the hatchling for lunch but gave it back once in the baitwell. Jonah, as the turtle was named, is our newest education turtle.
Jonah is one of our turtles that is available for adoption. Turtle adoptions help provide financial support for the care of all of our turtles. |
Jonah is continuing the slow improvement that he has demonstrated over the past few weeks. The indwelling feeding tube has allowed us to really increase the # of calories that we are able to get into him each day without stress. When he stranded he had 3 strikes against him: the oral hook, wire leader & mono filament in his intestinal tract, malnutrition, and the "lethargic loggerhead" neurological paralysis. One by one we are taking care of these issues. First, with surgery to remove the fishing gear, then placement of the feeding tube, and now aggressive supportive care while he regains his strength.
Many cases of "lethargic loggerhead" have been successfully rehabilitated but the process can be lengthy with glacially slow progress. We are still optimistic that he will have a full recovery, but are looking at a re-release date in 4-5 months as he may take that long to become healthy again.
Making slow progress, Receiving tube feedings of Eukanuba Maximum Calorie 2 times a day. He is beginning to move his head and front flippers in response to stimuli and taking deeper breathes. He will be with us for several months before his release.
6/14/08 Well, Jonah is back. He was found floating in a marina with a fish hook and wire leader in his esophagus. It is not unusual for turtles to pursue bait as food (see Petr for instance). We did surgery to remove the line and are now awaiting his recovery.
4/22/08 Jonah was released into the Indian River Lagoon just south of Sebastian. There he will join other juvenile loggerhead and green turtles that live in the lagoon. More can be found about the release here: Jonah's release
1/31/07 Jonah is growing like a weed - his carapace length is approximately 42 cm. We expect that he will be released sometime this Spring when he reaches 45 cm.
10/15/07 Jonah continues to do well. He is given "enrichment" exercises on a weekly basis. Generally this consists of hiding his food in an object so that he has to work a bit harder to obtain his lunch. In this case it is tire shaped dog toy.
12/15/06 Jonah continues to grow and do well in his tank here. Volunteers are providing him with shrimp to chase on the weekends and frozen squid balls to play with.
8/31/06 Jonah is growing like a weed! He is healthy and active. He is now large enough that we can feed him live shrimp once in a while. Their brains are "hard wired" to pursue prey so no one has to teach him what to do - he knows that shrimp are lunch.
6/5/06 Jonah has almost outgrown the aquarium we use when he goes to educational programs.
Thanks to Chris Johnson for the photo!
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