Wildman upon admission. Photo copyright Mote Marine Laboratory.

8/22 Admitted to Mote Sea Turtle Hospital for rehabilitiation and to remove numerous fibropapilloma tumors. 

8/25 Surgery performed to remove papilloma tumors. 

10/07 Recovering well from surgery.  Scheduled for examination with hopes to release by the end of the month.  

12/13 About 30 children from the Island School on Boca Grande oohed and aahed Friday as they met “Wildman,” a green sea turtle that was being released after treatment at Mote Marine Laboratory’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital. Edging as close as they could, the group of kindergarteners through fifth graders — and a few local adults who came to watch as well — crowded around to listen as Lynne Byrd, Mote’s medical care coordinator, explained why Wildman was “sick” and how staff at Mote’s hospital had treated him.

She explained that the turtle had a number of fibropapilloma tumors, cauliflower-like growths believed to be caused by a virus that can be life threatening when they affect a turtle’s ability to forage for food or when the tumors grow internally on vital organs. “They get these tumors that can impair how they swim or eat or see,” she told the students. “So without us taking him into Mote and taking the tumors off, he wouldn’t have lived a very happy life.” (above) Mote Veterinarian and Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr. Abraham Robinson, II, and Lynne Byrd, Mote’s Medical Care Coordinator, prepare to return Wildman to the Charlotte Harbor as students from Boca Grande's Island School watch. (above right) Students from the Island School gather 'round as Byrd explains Wildman's illness.

Mote’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital, located on Mote’s main Sarasota campus, is one of only four facilities in Florida that routinely houses and treats turtles with these tumors. Because the way the virus is transmitted remains unknown, turtles with the disease must be quarantined and kept away from turtles being treated for other illnesses — meaning that Mote essentially has two sea turtle hospitals.

Mote’s medical care team uses laser surgery to remove the tumors. Then the turtles are kept for several months following treatment to make sure no tumors grow back. Once the turtles are deemed healthy, Mote returns them to the wild — usually close to where they were found. “Sometimes turtles with these tumors can continue to have recurrences of the disease,” said Mote Veterinarian and Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr. Abraham Robinson, II. “Fortunately, Wildman hasn’t shown any sign of tumor regrowth, so we’re able to return him to the waters where he was found.”

Because the turtle was found in Charlotte Harbor, the animal needed to be returned to the sea in the same area. That meant a special opportunity for children from the Island School to learn more about green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas). They arrived at the release site near the lighthouse at Gasparilla State Park in a caravan of golf carts.

“To have this experience is just an amazing opportunity,” said Jean Thompson, the Head of School. “We have classroom learning about the turtle, but to be able to come to the beach and the water and see this turtle being released — it’s just a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

“It was really cool,” said 10-year-old Gabriela Crespo, of Boca Grande.

Wyatt Steyer, 10, of Boca Grande, thought so too. “I”ve seen little hatchling turtles before, but I’ve never seen a turtle this big on the beach before,” he said.

In early 2013, Mote opened a new satellite office on Boca Grande as a place where residents and visitors could learn more about Mote’s current and future marine research programs in Charlotte Harbor — studies that include work with tarpon, snook, large coastal shark species and even red tides. Releasing Wildman from Boca Grande offered the students an opportunity to see some of the other work that Mote is focused on.

Gifts to help support Mote programs that help educate kids and adults about our oceans and support research programs are always needed. You can make a gift to support Mote’s efforts or stop by the Mote Boca Grande Office to learn more about conservation. The office is located at 480 East Railroad Ave., Unit 7, Railroad Plaza, Boca Grande. Hours vary, depending on the season. Please call first to make sure the office is open: 941-855-9251. To make a gift, please contact Jennifer Vigne at 941-779-4060 or jvigne@mote.org.