This loggerhead turtle arrived today with a body temperature of 48 degrees. He was found on a beach in Truro, Mass. He was near death, with a heart rate of only three beats every two minutes. He was not breathing. This photo shows him attached to a ventilator to help him breathe. We also gave him intravenous drugs to stimulate his heart and breathing. After several hours on the ventilator he perked up a little, and we were able to remove his breathing tube. His heart rate is now 5 beats per minute. He does not yet have a name, but his ID number is MH08-198-Cc. I will keep you informed of his status over the next few days.
- Dr. Innis