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Paralysis Epidemic in Florida Afflicting Threatened Loggerheads

© Kate Staron

She washed up on shore and was brought to the hospital by concerned staff workers. She was weak and could not lift her head even to eat. She is Olive Oil, one of many loggerhead sea turtles fell victim to a another in a long line of ailments. The main concern for the volunteers at the Hidden Harbor turtle hospital is not the heavy parasitic infestation, but the paralysis that has taken over her system. They must keep her in a shallow tank because she cannot lift her head above water from the paralysis. They move her flippers as a form of physical therapy, hoping their efforts will have some effect, if they can find out what's wrong.

This is a new problem, affecting only loggerheads. In the past two months, the hospital has housed 35 loggerheads suffering from this ailment. Elliot Jacobson, a biologist at the University of Florida has begun basic research on the problem. "Nothing has been ruled out. Most of the biological samples collected from dead turtles has not been fully evaluated."

Initial thoughts included everything from a new virus, to toxin from prey or even algae. The research website maintains that ‘At this time, it is impossible to attribute the illness and epidemic to any one specific pathogen or toxin.' It is possible that one of the many parasites is the cause of the epidemic. Any toxin would have to be inside the plants and animals loggerheads eat, since no other turtles in the area are afflicted. This could even include jellyfish, one of the main dishes of a loggerhead diet.

The disease affects the nervous system of the loggerhead, paralyzing their motor functions. It is still unclear how many turtles may be effected. Elliot Jacobson, of U of F, believes that for every one coming into captivity, ten or more could be dead in the water and the numbers could be much greater.

However many turtles the disease affects, there is no question that it is deadly. Out of the thirty five loggerheads brought in to the turtle hospital in Marathon, only four have survived and they are not yet strong enough to be released back into the wild.

This is not the first trial for loggerheads. Currently placed as a threatened species, their numbers have been declining for many years. Turtles use light glancing off the water to direct them to the ocean. Coastal buildings with light on, even indoors, can mimic the light off the ocean. Many newborn turtles crawl the wrong way, drying out and dying because they could not get back to the waters. Turtles often swim near the surface and can be hit by boat propellers and jet skis. Since loggerheads eat crustaceans such as shrimp and crabs, they can get tangled in fishing nets and traps, similar to dolphins. Doug Mador, a veterinarian working with the turtle hospital, said that boats, fishing line and trap ropes are the three most common dangers to turtles.