Ken's Photo Album/Female Turtle - Pollution Caused Tumor.jpg

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Turtle Rescue #10 of 47 "Atlantis"
October 5, 1999 Alligator Rock, North Shore Oahu
On one of Oahu's beautiful stretch of beach came ashore a large mature male sea turtle that we first sighted in September, although residents had come to know this turtle for many months, as he would come ashore at dusk almost daily. This is not common behavior and was easily explained by the immense tumor attached to his head. This tumor in fact was bigger than his head! We had planned to turn the turtle over to authorities that could remove the tumor but these same authorities would close before Atlantis would come ashore. The decision was made to keep the turtle overnight in a pen, and then turn him over for veterinary help. This we did on October 6th and one and a half months later we happily released Atlantis. Sadly her tumor has returned and I do not know her condition now.