Saving an injured sea turtle can involve far more than cleaning wounds and giving nature time to heal. When Leo arrived at the Palma Aquarium Foundation after suffering devastating injuries believed to have been caused by a boat propeller, his survival would depend on some remarkably sophisticated veterinary medicine. CT scans, cold laser photobiomodulation and ozonated water are among the technologies being used in a painstaking rehabilitation process that offers a fascinating glimpse into just how advanced marine wildlife medicine has become.
Leo’s miracle represents one of the most complex and innovative veterinary rehabilitation cases handled by the Palma Aquarium Foundation within marine turtle conservation in the Balearic Islands. His story began on 11 July 2024, when this loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) was found floating in open water, experiencing severe difficulties diving and moving. Following an emergency notification, the Marine Fauna Recovery Centre team arrived to rescue him, facing a critical situation: Leo had suffered massive shell trauma, featuring deep and penetrating wounds consistent with a boat propeller impact.
Upon arrival at the centre’s facilities, the technical and veterinary staff immediately initiated an intensive care protocol and an exhaustive diagnostic plan. Notable among the tests conducted were several computed tomography (CT) scans, which were essential for accurately assessing the extent of internal and bone tissue injuries. These periodic imaging studies have allowed the team to monitor potential infections and meticulously adjust the therapeutic strategy to the slow metabolic rate characteristic of these marine reptiles.
The extreme severity of the trauma required combining advanced biostimulation and disinfection techniques:
Cold laser photobiomodulation: Funded through a collaboration between the Reina Sofía Foundation and the Palma Aquarium Foundation, this non-surgical treatment applies controlled light to stimulate cellular biological processes, reduce inflammation, and accelerate injured tissue repair.
Ozonated double-distilled water: Prepared using the high-precision Ozonette medical generator, acquired thanks to the patronage of the Gil Mast family, it is used in local wound care for its potent antiseptic effects. This therapy promotes cellular oxygenation and stimulates the regeneration of damaged bone tissue and shell keratin.
For much of the treatment, a major complication was an accumulation of gas in the scapular region, a finding that demanded close monitoring due to suspected deep bone or joint infection. Subsequent imaging checks have finally confirmed the complete resolution of this condition and the reabsorption of the gas, marking a decisive milestone in his clinical recovery.
Although Leo’s overall progress is highly favourable, his veterinary treatment is not yet fully complete. Currently, ozonated water treatment continues in small areas where superficial wounds are undergoing their gradual process of consolidation and healing.
In parallel with skin and bone healing, the technical team has begun evaluating the functional parameters essential for his future reintroduction into the wild: muscle mass recovery, swimming hydrodynamic efficiency, prolonged diving ability, autonomous foraging, and the display of species-typical behaviours.
Following an extensive and demanding period of specialised care, the continuous progress achieved confirms that the rehabilitation process is entering its final stages. Every wound dressing and functional assessment brings Leo one step closer to the ultimate goal of this entire effort: his long-awaited, definitive return to the waters of the Mediterranean.
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