Molly the Loggerhead Turtle Swims Free After Record-Breaking Surgery
A 170-pound loggerhead turtle named Molly has returned to the ocean after a life-saving operation. The three-hour surgery removed a 10.1-pound tumor—the largest ever taken from a sea turtle. More than 100 people gathered at Higgs Beach in Key West to watch her release.
Molly’s ordeal began when she was found tangled in commercial fishing lines, struggling with a massive tumor near her head. She was taken to the Turtle Hospital, a non-profit facility in Marathon, Florida, dedicated to sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation. Before surgery, the team provided fluid treatment, antibiotics, vitamins, and a pressure wrap to stabilize the growth.
The operation succeeded, and the tumor—weighing over 10 pounds—was safely removed. To monitor her progress, Molly was fitted with a $5,000 satellite tracking device, designed to stay attached for six months to two years. After weeks of recovery, she was carried to the water’s edge at Higgs Beach. The moment she touched the waves, Molly swam away without hesitation.
The tracking device will allow researchers to follow Molly’s movements and recovery. Her story has drawn global attention, highlighting the threats sea turtles face and the work of rescue organizations. The Turtle Hospital continues its mission to rehabilitate and protect these endangered animals.
