Coast Guard Saves 100-Pound Sea Turtle in Florida Keys

A 100-pound green sea turtle named Baby Myrtle got a second chance at life thanks to quick-thinking first responders and cutting-edge veterinary care in the Florida Keys.

Last Thursday, the Coast Guard station in Key West received a call about a distressed sea turtle floating near Sunset Key. A boat crew had spotted the turtle and alerted the Marathon-based Turtle Hospital, which immediately called for help.

Coast Guard members arrived quickly and brought the struggling turtle ashore. The veterinary team took over from there, naming their new patient Baby Myrtle and beginning their assessment.

X-rays and a CT scan revealed the problem. Air had accumulated in Baby Myrtle's coelomic cavity, a condition called pneumothorax that prevented her from diving normally.

The Turtle Hospital team performed a lung tap to remove the trapped air and gave Baby Myrtle antibiotics, fluids, and vitamins. But they didn't stop there.

Coast Guard Saves 100-Pound Sea Turtle in Florida Keys

In an innovative move, the veterinarians outfitted Baby Myrtle with a blood patch. They cross-matched blood from Sam, one of the hospital's permanent residents who serves as a blood donor, to help seal the suspected tear in her lung.

"The lung tap helps remove the air, while the blood patch is intended to seal the leak and give her lung a chance to heal," the Turtle Hospital explained in their update.

Sunny's Take

This rescue represents the best of coastal community collaboration. "Every life, every call. We're here for them all," the Coast Guard wrote on Facebook, and they meant it.

Bette Zirkelbach, general manager of the Turtle Hospital, captured the spirit perfectly. "Teamwork makes the dream work, and we live in an amazing community," she shared on Instagram.

The Coast Guard's Florida Keys station has supported multiple sea turtle rescues this summer alone. Their commitment goes beyond human emergencies.

"Protecting our waterways means protecting the wildlife that calls them home," the Coast Guard's Southeast branch reminded everyone. Baby Myrtle is now recovering in a hospital tank, with the team promising regular updates on her progress.