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Ella's Story
Rescue
Diagnose
Diagnose
Ella was discovered drifting at the surface, unable to dive because of carapace injuries. Thankfully, a group of beachgoers noticed her struggling and quickly called our stranding hotline. With their help, she was brought safely to shore and transported to our hospital for care.
Diagnose
Diagnose
Diagnose
Radiographs revealed a spinal injury along with multiple carapace fractures consistent with a boat propeller strike.
Care
Fun Fact
Fun Fact
Due to the spinal injury, Ella’s rear flippers became paralyzed. Although they can move when stimulated, she no longer has controlled movement of them. As part of her treatment, Ella underwent buoyancy-control physical therapy designed for paraplegic turtles, which involves attaching small weights to the carapace to help her maintain proper balance in the water.
Fun Fact
Fun Fact
Fun Fact
Ella’s favorite enrichment item in the hospital tank was a set of curved PVC pipes draped with soft car-wash fabric strips. This “mitter curtain” material is durable in salt water and can be cut into fun shapes, giving turtles something safe to rub against, explore, and even curl up in for a nap.
Released!
Ella made a full recovery and was released back into the Atlantic Ocean on November, 21 2025!
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STCCS is currently fundraising rescue and medical equipment