1/18 Tarpon was part of the widespread cold stranding of sea turtles that occurred when temperatures statewide reached record low temperatures. Tarpon was first taken to C.R.O.W. (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife) on Sanibel Island and then brought to Mote. Currently, Tarpon is rooming with another Kemp's ridley being treated at Mote: Anakin. 3/14 Tarpon now has a rehabilitation tank to himself with Anakin's recent release. This turtle arrived very thin, but is eating consistently and gaining weight well. We will continue to monitor weight and general condition, and will consider release when the turtle has reached adequate body condition and is otherwise doing well.  4/2  Tarpon has gained weight very well and his diet has been cut back in preparation for release.  Bloodwork shows some resolving abnormalities, so turtle will be with us for a few more weeks at least.  4/17  Turtle is still eating and behaving normally, but Tarpon is not yet ready for release. 5/23  The one elevated liver value of concern remains high, so turtle is still in rehab. 6/8 No changes in Tarpon's status.  We are planning on scheduling an MRI to assess the liver. 6/22 Tarpon is still doing very well and an MRI is scheduled for early July. 7/24 Animal will be released at the end of the week in Tarpon Bay. 7/26 Released!!

Note: More than 4,500 sea turtles statewide were 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