Here at Wild Florida air boat tours, we care about the safety, protection and care of our animals. We feel strongly about maintaining Florida's natural habitats and educating people about proper animal interactions. When we see animals in need and we have the ability to help, we should help in anyway we can.
Sometimes unusual treatments will be used in unusual cases. In this case when more than 400 sea turtles of various species became stranded on Cape Cod during the winter in southern Massachusetts, the cold weather created the perfect environment for hypothermia and rendered the cold-blooded sea turtles immobile and unable to eat for days. Their limbs were exposed to extremely cold winds that ultimately carried them to the beach. Only 242 of these turtles lived and were taken to the New England Aquarium's off-site animal care center for treatment. Traditional treatments were used in order to help the sea turtles recover before being released into the wild; treatments such as laser therapy, antibiotics and enriched meals. However, the traditional treatments were still not enough for all of the sea turtles (14 sea turtles) and it required something different. Something unique.
Two of the turtles given the names "Dexter" and "Fletcher Moon" no longer had the ability to move their front flippers which rendered them unable to gather food or escape from predators. So, the New England Aquarium reached out to a licensed acupuncturist in hopes of receiving positive results. Acupuncture is not an alternative to conventional medicine, but it has been proven to help certain cases. But will acupuncture work for sea turtles? It's intended effects are the same as humans. It's intended to reduce stress, increase blood flow and boost the immune system.
So far, the two turtles have received three sessions over three weeks and have shown great improvement. They previously had little to no appetite and limited limb use, and now they are eating on their own and showing signs of improved limb use. The needles used in the acupuncture procedure are smaller than the needles used to draw blood. Due to this fact, the sea turtles do not feel pain during the sessions.
So what do you think? If it can work for sea turtles, will it work for other animals?
Although we don’t provide services like acupuncture for animals, we provide Everglades airboat tours for you, your friends and family! Enjoy the beauty of natural Florida on our Everglades airboat tours! Wild Florida gives you and your family the opportunity to get away for a day while enjoying natural Florida at its finest. Enjoy our Everglades air boat rides for a wildlife adventure to remember! Book your tour today by calling us at 407-901-2563.
