Kayaker Saves Tumor-Covered Sea Turtle in Florida Keys

When Allison Calhoun got a call about "a little guy" in distress during her kayak tour on August 8, she didn't hesitate to paddle out and investigate.

The Geiger Key Paddle Hut tour guide found a juvenile green sea turtle covered in tumors that were blocking its eyes and covering its flippers. Calhoun carefully lifted the struggling turtle onto her kayak and headed straight for shore.

The timing couldn't have been more perfect. One of Calhoun's kayaking guests was celebrating his birthday that day, so the rescue team named the turtle Logan in his honor.

Within hours, Logan arrived at The Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida, where staff discovered he was battling fibropapillomatosis. This disease causes cauliflower-like tumors that can grow large enough to cause blindness or interfere with swimming and feeding.

The hospital's first priority was a CT scan to check for internal tumors. Then came the careful work of strengthening Logan's immune system before removing the external growths.

"A healthy immune system is one of his best defenses against these tumors," the rescue center explained on Facebook. By building up Logan's health first, the team hopes to prevent the tumors from growing back after removal.

Sunny's Take

This rescue showcases exactly why The Turtle Hospital has thrived for 40 years. The Marathon facility has spent four decades rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing sea turtles back into Florida's waters.

Hospital manager Bette Zirkelbach often talks about resilience when describing both sea turtles and her organization. These ancient creatures survived the age of dinosaurs, and today's dedicated rescuers are making sure they survive modern challenges too.

Logan still has a long recovery ahead, but he's getting round-the-clock care from experts who have successfully treated thousands of turtles. Every check-up, every swim in his recovery tank, and every treatment brings him closer to the moment he can paddle back into the ocean.

One birthday wish turned into a second chance at life.