A rescued green sea turtle in Florida is getting a second chance after undergoing an unusual medical procedure designed to help her breathe — and dive — normally again.
Off Key West, rescuers found Baby Myrtle, a 100-plus-pound green sea turtle, floating at the surface because air trapped inside her body kept her from submerging on her own.
Here's what to know
In a TikTok update shared by The Turtle Hospital (@turtlehospital), Myrtle's caretakers said the U.S. Coast Guard helped bring her in after the rescue. They diagnosed her with a pneumothorax, explaining that air had collected in her coelomic cavity and was interfering with her ability to dive normally.
@turtlehospital 💚 Baby Myrtle update! 💚 When 100+ lb. green sea turtle Baby Myrtle was rescued off Key West with help from the U.S. Coast Guard, she was found floating and unable to dive. X-rays and a CT scan revealed a pneumothorax, meaning air had accumulated in her coelomic cavity, preventing her from diving normally. After receiving a lung tap to remove the trapped air, along with broad-spectrum antibiotics, fluids, and vitamins, Myrtle was transferred to a hospital tank to continue her recovery. Yesterday, our veterinary team took the next step in her treatment: a blood patch. 🩸 We cross-matched blood from one of our permanent residents and blood donors, Sam, to help "patch" the suspected tear in Myrtle's lung. The lung tap helps remove the air, while the blood patch is intended to seal the leak and give her lung a chance to heal. Myrtle received post-procedure X-rays and is now back in the water. 🐢💚 We'll be sharing more from her recovery later today, so stay tuned for an update on this sweet girl! #seaturtle #seaturtlerescue #rescuerehabrelease #marinelife #marineconservation @TurtleBette ♬ original sound - Find A Place Arkansas & Beyond
Her first round of treatment included a lung tap to draw out the trapped air, along with broad-spectrum antibiotics, fluids, and vitamins. Staff then placed her in a hospital tank so they could continue watching her recovery.
Veterinarians later moved on to a blood patch, a procedure that uses donor blood in hopes of sealing a suspected tear in the lung. The hospital said blood from resident turtle Sam was matched for Myrtle to help that suspected lung injury heal.
One commenter wrote, "What a big beautiful girl! I hope the patch works so she can get back to diving."
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
More background
Sea turtles play a key role in ocean ecosystems, and healthier marine ecosystems can help support the coastal environments that communities rely on for recreation, local economies, and biodiversity.
By releasing trapped air, a lung tap can ease dangerous pressure. The blood patch, by contrast, targets the leak itself rather than simply treating the symptom.
"She is beautiful!" one commenter wrote.
Another added, "I love how each turtle has their own specific coloring combo making each one so unique."
What's being done?
After the blood patch, Myrtle had post-procedure X-rays and was placed back in the water so staff could watch for signs the leak is closing and her buoyancy is returning to normal.
The lung tap removes air that has already built up, while the blood patch helps the lung heal so more air doesn't keep escaping.
Wildlife hospitals, rescue partnerships, and animal donors such as Sam can be critical in complicated medical emergencies. When facilities have trained staff, equipment, and blood donors available, they can respond quickly to emergencies that might otherwise prove fatal.
Her caretakers said, "Myrtle received post-procedure X-rays and is now back in the water."
Where can I learn more?
Myrtle's recovery shows how much sea turtle survival can hinge on a quick rescue, careful rehab, and follow-up care. Similar efforts have helped turtles that were stranded, disoriented, or too badly injured to make it back to the water on their own.
• In North Carolina, scientists saved a green sea turtle and returned it to the ocean.
• At Florida's Navarre Beach Pier, responders explained a sea turtle rescue step by step.
Cases like these show the kind of coordination and patience it takes to give vulnerable turtles another chance.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
