Source: Mississippi State University
Two endangered sea turtles are receiving advanced medical care through a partnership between the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine (MSU CVM) and the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) in Gulfport. Alfonzo, a sub-adult green sea turtle rescued in Alabama, was found with multiple fishing hooks embedded in a flipper and lodged in his gastrointestinal tract. CT imaging at MSU helped precisely locate the hooks to guide treatment decisions.
Sawyer, an adult male Kemp’s ridley—the world’s most endangered sea turtle species—was discovered floating in the Mississippi Sound missing most of a front flipper and suffering from bacterial lung disease and parasites. He is being treated with antibiotics and monitored closely. The turtles live at IMMS but are transported to MSU for specialized diagnostics and procedures. Veterinary students assist in their care, gaining hands-on experience. The goal is long-term rehabilitation and, if possible, eventual release back into the wild.