Though turtles have a reputation for being slow, many species are surprisingly fast. Broad-shelled turtles, for example, are strongly adapted to their native Australian waterways, zipping through wetlands as they prey on fish and invertebrates. So when these speedy reptiles are in distress, they need similarly quick action to keep them safe and healthy—even if the care itself takes a while.
Broad-shelled snake-necked turtles are native to freshwater bodies like lakes, rivers, and billabongs.
An Urgent Call for Help
A broad-shelled snake-necked turtle recently came into our care with a bacterial infection that had resulted in a shell defect. It’s an unfortunately common condition for turtles, whether they’re in native habitats or being cared for by humans. It’s also a painful condition: the shell of a turtle is a fusion of their ribs and vertebrae, so an infection of the shell is actually an infection of the bones.
As the turtle’s shell continued to degrade, it became apparent that medical intervention was necessary, and our wildlife health teams wasted no time in acting.
The Jennings Center for Zoological Medicine has cared for wildlife at the Zoo for nearly 50 years.
Expertise and Innovation
We brought him to the San Diego Zoo’s hospital, the Jennings Center for Zoological Medicine, for surgery and intensive care. This sophisticated complex is designed to accommodate the vast array of wildlife at the Zoo, so we were prepared with the tools we’d need to support a reptile.
Over the course of multiple surgeries, our veterinary experts carefully removed the infected tissue. This was guided by CAT scan technology, as well as bacterial sequencing, which gave us insights into the disease and how to treat it. Every technique we used was state-of-the-art for this species, not only helping the individual but advancing what’s possible in future turtle care.
Even the bandages were an exercise in creativity and innovation. Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) bandages provided continuous suction to the wound to increase drainage, promote blood flow, and expedite healing. We also employed a waterproof covering that enabled us to access and treat the affected area over time while still allowing the turtle to comfortably submerge itself in water.
This 3D projection, reconstructed for CT scans, shows the size and location of the shell’s defect.
This CT scan cross-section depicts the turtle’s bone in white, indicating where it had worn away, as well as how the shell, spine, and ribs are all interconnected.
Building a Safe Haven
This kind of medical treatment is no outpatient procedure. The turtle would need to stay onsite for an extended period, so we quickly created a tailored habitat for him right in the hospital itself, turning the medical center into an aquatic sanctuary.
Our wildlife experts collaborated to craft a large living space that would encompass all his needs while he healed. It included temperature-controlled water, floating and submerged rocks, and opportunities for both shade and basking. It was also important that this habitat mimic the dynamic features of native waterways so he could maintain natural behaviors. With this in mind, we included a water agitator that created a gentle current throughout his pool, as well as variable food placement to encourage foraging.
Veterinary care is a thoughtful and comprehensive endeavor, especially in life-saving circumstances, and every detail makes a tremendous difference for the wildlife we protect.
The hospital’s CT machine has been used to plan care for numerous species, including reptiles, mammals, birds, and more.
Signs of Improvement
Wildlife usually hide their discomfort or distress—in native habitats, signs of weakness are often noticed by predators. Even so, when this turtle first came to the hospital, his extreme lethargy was notable, as bone disease is painful and pervasive. As we controlled the infection, however, his disposition and behaviors improved, and he was able to swim to deeper water, a heartening sign of his healing.
At the wound site itself, we saw a granulation bed develop, followed by tissue regeneration, meaning the bacteria was at bay and the shell was regrowing. The bone can take between two and five years to fully fill in, but during that time the turtle would still be able to live his life fully. It was finally time for the turtle to leave the hospital.
Before he departed, though, there was one more piece of business to attend to. Our hospital staff came to deeply care for this turtle, and they nicknamed him Lil G in honor of the veterinarian who served as his case manager. With his moniker in place, and with the support of the team who helped him heal, he took his next big step on the road to recovery.
A turtle’s shell provides camouflage and protection from predators, as well as buoyancy and hydrodynamic speed in the water.
Swimming Toward the Future
At the end of his stay, Lil G had been at the Jennings Center for seven months. Because reptiles often have long rehabilitations, our experts affectionately call this process “healing on turtle time.” After a lengthy but steady recuperative period, the turtle triumphantly returned to his primary habitat, where he is thriving and continuing to heal every day.
This effort celebrates our dedicated commitment to the highest standards of healthcare for wildlife, no matter how long it takes. Our world-class facilities and decades of expertise fortunately make this kind of journey possible. Though turtle recovery may be slow, our teams move fast to ensure these reptiles, and all species, receive the supportive, life-saving care they need.
Your support makes all this possible. Say hi to Lil G and the other turtles and tortoises at Reptile Mesa the next time you visit the Zoo, and learn more about how we’re helping reptiles around the world through our eight global Conservation Hubs.
Second photo: © Ken Griffiths/iStock/Getty Images Plus. Last photo: © Goddard_Photography/iStock/Getty Images Plus.
