Mote releases green sea turtle off Anna Maria Island
Mote intern Caitlyn Byers and volunteers from AMI Turtle Watch cheer as green sea turtle "Shoshi" takes the plunge
Mote Marine Laboratory released a juvenile green sea turtle named “Shoshi” off Anna Maria Island Thursday morning, May 10. Members of Anna Maria Turtle Watch and beach-goers cheered on little Shoshi as it made its way back into the water.
A fisherman found the turtle floating 15 miles due west of Bean Point, Anna Maria Island, on March 26, 2018, and it was transported to Mote's Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital.
During Shoshi's initial exam, the turtle's body seemed to be reacting to something external. The turtle's skin was covered in an unidentified orange material, its scutes (the special plates on its shell) were sloughing off, and its eyes were red and scabby. The fishermen reported that the turtle was found floating in some sort of yellow "sludge" at the surface of the water.
Shoshi received antibiotic eye drops, was given dextrose intravenously, and subcutaneous fluids daily until it began eating on its own. Within a few weeks, Shoshi started looking much healthier, and a few months later Mote was able to medically clear it for release.
"Shoshi was a great patient and we are thrilled to be able to release him so quickly," said Lynne Byrd, Rehabilitation and Medical Coordinator for Mote.
Please report distressed or dead sea turtles.
- Mote's Stranding Investigations Program responds to reports of sick, injured or dead marine mammals and sea turtles in Sarasota and Manatee counties.Within Sarasota or Manatee county waters, if you see a stranded or dead sea turtle, dolphin or whale, please call Mote's Stranding Investigations Program, a 24-hour response service, at 888-345-2335.
- If you see a stranded or dead manatee anywhere in state waters or a stranded or dead sea turtle, dolphin or whale outside of Sarasota and Manatee counties, please call the FWC Wildlife Alert hotline at 1 (888) 404-FWCC (3922).