09/01/2020  The loggerhead sea turtle floating in the surf along Anna Maria Island was called into Mote Marine's Stranding Investigation Program's hotline. The turtle had beached itself at their time of arrival near Martinique North Condos. The turtle was given the name "Violet" and brought back to Mote Marine's Sea Turtle Hospital for rehabilitation. On physical examination Violet's left front flipper had recently been amputated, fishing gear is the suspected culprit. Also Violet's right front flipper was x-rayed to find a possible dislocation. Violet had blood drawn, was weighed, put on an injectable antibiotic and put in a rehabilitation pool at low water level. Violet ate a few pieces of seafood almost immediately when offered.

09/04/2020  Violet continues to adapt to the rehabilitation setting. She is eating better with each day.

09/12/2020  Violet finished her round of antibiotics and has been placed on an iron supplement. She is doing very well.

10/09/2020  Violet continues to do well. She is still healing and gaining weight.

11/13/2020  Violet's dislocated flipper seemed to have healed enough for a transport so she was moved into one of the dolphin rehabilitation pools for deeper diving and exercising that flipper. She is no longer on an iron supplement.

12/14/2020  Violet was medically cleared for release.

12/16/2020  Violet was released off of Longboat Key!