There’s a’shell-ebrity’ in town! A sea turtle named Kale recently underwent a CT scan at the Decatur Morgan Hospital in Alabama, becoming the hospital’s first animal patient. The animal suffered severe injuries after its shell became entangled in a fishing hook in 2019. It cannot be returned to the sea due to injuries.
Kale developed scar tissue as well as a fistula
When it was accidentally entangled and hooked by a recreational fisherman in Virginia, the size of the hook caused scar tissue and a fistula, allowing many serious illnesses to enter. Kale now necessitates frequent and ongoing appointments to veterinarians.
Since 2020, the turtle has been housed in a museum
Kale has been residing at the Cook Museum of Natural Science in Decatur since 2020, following its injuries and health difficulties. The museum is a major hot spot for zoology, geology, fossils, and other exhibitions. The sea creature had a CT scan, which “is the best tool to assess the improvement of Kale’s deep infections of his shell,” according to the museum.
Veterinarians had to restrain the turtle to keep it from moving
Kale, like many patients, was apprehensive about having the scan. The veterinarians had to grip it tightly to keep it still during the procedure. According to Cassandra Worlund, the live animal manager at the Cook Museum of Natural Science, the turtle doesn’t necessarily enjoy being held tightly, just like anyone wouldn’t always want to go to the doctor.
Kale is a critically endangered Kemp’s ridley marine turtle
Kale is an endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, according to sources. It is one of the world’s most endangered sea turtle species, also known as the Atlantic ridley sea turtle. It is also the smallest of all turtle species, with a carapace length of 58 cm to 70 cm and a weight of 36 kg to 45 kg when adult.
The damaged turtle is gradually healing
According to the museum’s management, Kale is making great strides in its rehabilitation. They are optimistic that the turtle will return to the museum soon. Staff personnel handles the aquatic being on a daily basis to ensure it is accustomed to being out of the water and around people. They shared its CT scan images on Facebook, which got viral in no time.
Many animals, from whales to snakes, have had CT/CAT scans
In 2019, a Twitter user named Hogan (@Hogan698) uploaded a thread in which several animals were undergoing CAT scans. The post showed anything from a lion, horse, and giraffe to a snake, leopard, and even a whale being carefully supervised by anesthesiologists before receiving the scans.