1/18 Turtle was brought to Mote on 1/14 after being cold stunned and stranding on Florida's east coast. Turtle is also afflicted with papillomas (tumors) and has eye damage after being scavenged by birds. We're waiting to see how severe the eye damage is. Prognosis is uncertain. 1/24 Damage to both eyes was determined too severe to allow for recovery of sight and a successful return to the wild. The decision was made to humanely euthanize this turtle.

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