Editor’s Note: The gopher tortoise is part of the CROW CAW (Case A Week) series, which tells the stories of the patients at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel Island, the dangers they face, and how we can help protect all of our wildlife. Read previous cases here.
This gopher tortoise (patient #25-1777) was admitted to CROW over 100 days ago after suffering blunt force trauma, likely from being hit by a car. She arrived with two large open fractures of her shell and has been receiving intensive care ever since.
During her initial X-rays, CROW’s hospital staff discovered something unexpected: she had swallowed a metallic nut, which was visible in the large intestines of her radiographs.
This surprising finding prompted our team to check her blood for lead and zinc levels to rule out heavy metal poisoning. Thankfully, both tests returned negative results. She eventually passed the nut on her own, marking another step forward in her recovery journey.
For now, this gopher tortoise remains in our care as she continues her slow and steady healing process. Stay tuned for updates on her progress— and remember to watch for wildlife on the roads, especially our shelled friends.
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