Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — At nearly 500 pounds, giving Myrtle her quarterly physical is a handful.
Myrtle is a Green Sea Turtle.
She's big but very docile.
To get the job done, it takes a coordinated team effort from the New England Aquarium staff that includes three scuba divers in the aquarium's giant ocean tank, staff members outside the tank, a large bin used to safely contain Myrtle, and a heavy-duty ceiling crane needed to hoist the patient out of and back into her home.
Performing Myrtle's exam was Dr. Melissa Joblon, the New England Aquarium Director of Animal Health. "She's lifted out of the water and onto the ground here," she said. "And then we'll do everything with her in the bin."
Dr. Joblon said the exam includes an ultrasound and bloodwork. "We're able to do a full physical examination, looking in her eyes, nose, and mouth. It's all of her joints and her flippers. She looked great. She lost a little bit of weight today, which is good. She was a little bit robust."
Also getting physicals were Myrtle's friends, two Loggerhead Turtles named Carolina and Retread.
The turtle's physical exams were done in front of an appreciative audience, as lots of 'oooos' and 'ahhhhs' were heard from visitors throughout the process.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojas.bsky.social) reports.