1/13 Turtle was brought to Mote after stranding in Manatee County. Turtle weighs 4.35 kg and has a carapace length of 33 cm. 1/14 Turtle is in water warmed to 71 degrees F and is eating. 1/20 Turtle was released from Vanderbilt Beach in Collier County. (Special thanks to Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch for transport!) Read the story.

Note: More than 3,000 sea turtles statewide have been affected by record-low January water temperatures. State and federal agencies, along with nonprofit organizations like Mote are responding to this mass stranding by taking in sick sea turtles. To help these animals by making a donation of one of the following items, please call Mote's Development office at 941-388-4441, ext. 509. Click here to make a monetary donation now.

Among the items needed to help care for this record number of turtles at Mote are the following:

• Closed-cell foam padding (this is a high priority and usually available from boat fabricators)
• Kiddie pools, wading pools, cattle waterers or other containers of a similar size that can hold water
• Spray bottles
• Towels and blankets
• Tarps
• Spring clamps (either all metal or plastic)
• Ventilated containers
• Monetary donations to pay for medications, food and satellite tags