Liberty

Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)

(ST 0943)

Age Class Subadult
Gender Unknown
Date Stranded July 3, 2009
Location of Stranding In Grass flats between Bird Key and North Siesta Key bridge
Date of Arrival July 3, 2009
Number of Days of Care 77

Final Disposition

Released

7/4  Turtle was found floating with rear end up, unable to dive. Boat skeg mark was found on carapace but no fracture of the shell. Turtle was covered in barnacles and algae. Starting antibiotics and fluids. Will monitor the animal closely. 7/6 Turtle has begun to eat some squid. 7/19 Eating well, however, animal is still floating some. 8/7 Turtle continues to float, will try to remove some of the trapped air this morning. 9/21 Turtle continued to improve and was released this morning!



A crowd cheers Liberty back to sea during release.

Happening at Mote

Fin Fact

Coral reefs are declining because of climate change—warming temperatures and ocean acidification—but Mote scientists are learning that some corals may cope better than others. For instance, Mote led research has revealed climate change-resilient, native genetic varieties of staghorn coral (an important Florida coral species), and we're growing them in our coral restoration nurseries.

@motemarinelab #motemarinelab