Onlookers gathered to celebrate a massive story of rescue and recovery as the Turtle Hospital released loggerhead turtle Molly from Higgs Beach on the morning of Nov. 25.
Molly was rescued in early August off Key West by a local charter boat captain who discovered her weak, anemic and entangled in a stone crab trap line. She was covered in barnacles and suffering from a massive fibropapilloma tumor on her shoulder. The captain contacted the Turtle Hospital, and Molly was transported to the facility via ambulance to begin her critical care.
Upon arrival, the medical team at the Turtle Hospital began intensive treatment. Molly’s regimen included broad-spectrum antibiotics, fluids, vitamins, a healthy diet of mixed seafood and multiple surgeries to remove her numerous tumors. The colossal tumor on her shoulder weighed in at 10.1 pounds, making Molly the first loggerhead of her size to survive such a large removal surgery, the hospital said.
Molly beat the odds, and videos of her rescue and recovery garnered more than 80 million views on social media. Fans from across the country traveled to visit her during her stay at the hospital.
“Her story has profoundly increased public awareness and love for sea turtles and the challenges they face,” the hospital said in a press release.For her release, Molly was fitted with a small satellite transmitter tag. The public is able to follow Molly’s journey at sea; the link to track her progress will be posted on the Turtle Hospital website (www.turtlehospital.org) and on their social media platforms.
