302-Pound Florida Turtle Undergoes Horse-Sized CT Scan After Boat Injury

Pennywise, a massive 302-pound loggerhead sea turtle injured by a boat off Florida's Atlantic coast, presented a unique challenge for veterinarians due to her size. The veterinary team at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach first attempted to use the center's CT scanner, which was too small, then a human CT scanner at Jupiter Medical Center, which also proved insufficient. Eventually, they used a horse-sized CT scanner at Palm Beach Equine Clinic, which was large enough to accommodate Pennywise. The scan revealed not only bone damage around her spinal cord but also that she was carrying eggs, an encouraging sign for this endangered species. Pennywise is being treated with high-powered antibiotics and shows intact neurological function, raising hopes for her recovery and return to the wild to lay her eggs. Authorities are urging boaters to slow down in protected sea turtle zones to prevent such injuries.