Science

‘Miracle Turtle’ Released One Year After He was Found With Gaping Holes in his Shell

Miracle Turtle Released One Year After He was Found With Gaping Holes in his Shell

Andre, an endangered green turtle, is released into the ocean after a 414-day stay at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, Fla. on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2011. (The Palm Beach Post, Lannis Waters / AP photo)

JUNO BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A badly injured sea turtle that underwent a year of rehabilitation and innovative surgeries was released Wednesday by caretakers hoping he finds a mate and helps his endangered species prosper.

Andre, as the 177-pound green sea turtle is known, crawled into the water and swam out of sight before a crowd of hundreds of raucous supporters. He was near death when he was found split open and stranded last year.

“He has overcome obstacles, predators, food scarcities, cold winters – any number of things that may have ended his life – and he has survived,” said Dr. Nancy Mettee, a veterinarian at Loggerhead Marinelife Center who cared for Andre. “He’s really a miracle turtle.”

When Andre was found stranded on a sandbar on June 15, 2010, he had gaping holes in his shell, the result of two apparent boat strikes. More than three pounds of sand were inside him, along with at least a couple of crabs, a raging infection and a collapsed lung. His spinal cord was exposed, pneumonia was plaguing him and death seemed certain.

Any one of those injuries could have killed him, but his flippers were working and his neurological function appeared normal. So after beachgoers pulled him ashore on a boogie board, veterinarians began what became a yearlong effort to save him.

To help remove fluid and other materials and close his wounds, doctors used a vacuum therapy system. To help close gashes in the shell, Dr. Alberto Vargas, a local orthodontist, installed braces similar to those used on humans. And to fill in the gaping holes, doctors employed a procedure typically used to help regrow breast tissue in mastectomy patients and abdominal tissue in hernia patients.

All are believed to be animal firsts, and Andre’s supporters say the herculean effort was worth it.

Green sea turtles have persisted since prehistoric times, but are endangered today. Only a small fraction of hatchlings survive and even fewer go on to reach adulthood and reproduce.

Andre is believed to be about 25 years old. The hope is that he will swim off, mate often and help his species survive.

“Go out and live long and prosper and have lots of babies,” said Aaron Lichtig, a 40-year-old science teacher who was among those who first spotted the turtle and brought him to shore.

On Wednesday, Lichtig was among hundreds cheering the turtle on as he was loaded into an all-terrain vehicle, driven to the beach, set unto the sand and then turned loose to amble into the Atlantic. He hesitated at first, but was helped closer to the water by volunteers.

A moment later, he disappeared below the surface, only to pop his head up a few more times, delighting the crowd.

“It’s just an inspiration,” said one volunteer, 17-year-old Kelly Griffith, who wiped tears from her eyes. “Every turtle is special, but he captures hearts.”

Mettee could not bring herself to attend Andre’s release, calling it a bittersweet moment. She knows he could have been kept safe under her care and she fears what he could face in the wild, yet she knows he had to be set free. But after all these months of caring for him, she grew to know his every quirk, including the way he’d crane his neck to look when she was working on him.

“If it’s possible that an animal could know that we were trying to help I think that he did,” she said.

Andre’s survival has inspired fans across the world who heard his story or watched his round-the-clock webcam. More than 200 people from 25 different states and a handful of foreign countries sent in checks to be honorary adoptive parents. Children flooded him with mail, often addressed simply to “Andre the Turtle.”

The cards and notes were tacked by the dozens to a wall alongside an outdoor grouping of turtle pools at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, where some 225,000 visitors come each year.

One child’s simple words summed up the thoughts of many who came to wish the turtle well: “Good luck, have a safe trip.”

Comments (17)

  • SgtBarrett
    Posted on August 6, 2011 at 12:32am

    IF you are boating in open water, there is no way to avoid them. They must come to the surface to breath and sometimes that happens right in the path of a boat.

    Report Post » SgtBarrett  
  • lonewolf57
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 10:28pm

    I really like this story.Don’t anyone sell your soul to the enviroMental movement though.Life happens.God Bless ya Andre the turtle!

    Report Post » lonewolf57  
  • freedomisasfreedomdoes
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 5:00pm

    Hey FL Boaters and boating tourists be watchful and obey the speed rules in specific areas! that is rotten what happen to this sea turtle. I am so glad Andre survived. A fighter through and through. I hope the best for him!

    Report Post » freedomisasfreedomdoes  
  • outrider
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 12:52pm

    The treatment of this turtle, from rescue to release, is an example of what makes America great. Could this have happened in any other country? I give thanks to God that America has produced people of this caliber with the heart, intelligence and training to make this rescue possible. We are all better because of the actions of those involved in saving Andre. It gives me hope for humanity.

    Report Post »  
    • Miles Monroe
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:31pm

      Had he floated to shore farther South he would have been soup. Only in America…..at least for a little while longer until we get the “hope and change” we were promised.

      Report Post »  
  • patriotone
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 9:03am

    I wonder how many of the people cheering on the turtle would be willing to “split the bill” for saving him? You know, just before everyone leaves they pass out a bill for his care and ask everyone present to pony up the dough. If the species has survived for millions of years we are being a bit arrogant in thinking that mankind alone is the cause of the presumed imminent extinction. Even if we were or are responsible, do we really think we can save them?

    Report Post »  
    • Jenny Lind
      Posted on August 5, 2011 at 11:28pm

      I really believe that every time medical folks try the impossible with an animal it leads to more help with humans. They were able to try things without government looking over their shoulders and saying no to trying things that hadn’t been done before. Just try to get into a “trial” for new medical procedures or medicines. Andre more than paid for his help, and people AND animals benifit.

      Report Post »  
  • Docroxall
    Posted on August 5, 2011 at 7:15am

    Wow, and SOME people get fined for having their lights on at night during the wrong time of the year!

    Report Post »  
  • LOJ
    Posted on August 4, 2011 at 4:17pm

    You know I love these turtles, they are the most industrious creatures…One need only watch where the Mother Turtle buries her eggs and watch weeks later, as hundred of fast and frantic little babies come out of the shells, making their trek to the ocean…So many things lie in wait to catch these darling babies, seabirds, lizards, and other predators. So glad Andre got a second chance to merrily swim the ocean again. The Cayman islands are wonderful vacation spots to see alot of different species of turtles.

    Report Post »  
  • cemerius
    Posted on August 4, 2011 at 3:19pm

    Long live this turtle and if the people of Indonesia can just keep from eating thousands of their eggs maybe they will be more populace!

    Report Post » cemerius  
  • Psychosis
    Posted on August 4, 2011 at 12:44pm

    so, did the people that rescued him get 90 days in jail for interfering in the migratory and normal behavior of this turtle????

    Report Post » Psychosis  
  • HumbleCitizen
    Posted on August 4, 2011 at 10:17am

    So nice to hear humans doing something kind for a change.

    Report Post » HumbleCitizen  
    • eddvoss
      Posted on August 4, 2011 at 7:55pm

      Yeah those evil human beings that never do anything to help each other during catastrophes, or to help out injured animals.

      Report Post » eddvoss  
  • ...EriK
    Posted on August 4, 2011 at 10:13am

    While I really like what was done and its outcome, didn’t we just hear about a child saving a woodpecker and the mother getting a $500+ fine? The blatant lack of consistancy in law enforcement truly amazes, or maybe not…

    Report Post » ...EriK  
    • SpankDaMonkey
      Posted on August 4, 2011 at 10:53am

      .
      Your right I think they should get the chair for saving that turtle……

      The Bird deal was nuts….

      Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  

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