JUPITER FARMS, Fla. (CBS12) — A yellow-bellied slider is on the road to recovery in Jupiter Farms after being rescued with a barbed fishing hook stuck in its face.
On Wednesday, the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary said that the yellow-bellied slider is making a remarkable recovery after it was brought in with a barbed fishing hook lodged in its mouth and nose—a painful injury that could have been fatal without swift intervention.
Known as Patient 4324, the turtle was admitted to the sanctuary’s wildlife rehabilitation center, where the veterinary team quickly administered pain relief and began antibiotic treatment. To minimize stress and ensure a safe procedure, the turtle was sedated before the hook was carefully removed, according to the news release.
Once the hook was extracted, the sancutary said that the wound was flushed with sterile saline, and a thorough examination revealed no additional injuries. The turtle is now recovering well and is expected to be released back into its native habitat once its antibiotic course is complete.
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This case highlights the dangers discarded fishing gear poses to Florida’s native wildlife — and the critical role rehabilitation centers play in their survival.
You can help support lifesaving care for animals like Patient 4324 by donating to Busch Wildlife Sanctuary.
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