Mote releases juvenile green sea turtle on Anna Maria Island
Mote Marine Laboratory released a rehabbed juvenile green sea turtle nicknamed “Henry” back into the wild from Anna Maria Island Thursday, May 12, while thanking team members from Wells Fargo’s West Florida Green Team, which has supported the Mote’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital since 2011 to help save endangered sea turtles.
“Today’s sea turtle release went flawlessly,” said Lynne Byrd, Mote’s Rehabilitation and Medical Care Coordinator. “The animal went out with no problem despite some buoyancy issues when we first found him, and he had no problem diving into the water, avoiding people, and is now swimming happily and freely. It was a very happy, successful release.”
Mote’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital staff returned the green sea turtle to sea at 10 a.m. near Anna Maria Bayfront Park (316 North Bay Blvd, Anna Maria 34216). Wells Fargo team members joined Mote’s team to wish Henry well.
The 28.6 pound turtle was named Henry after Wells Fargo’s founder Henry Wells. To date, Wells Fargo has named four turtles released by Mote: Wells, Fargo, Stagecoach (named after the company’s iconic symbol) and now Henry.
Henry’s rehabilitation was made possible by a 2015 grant of $7,500 from Wells Fargo awarded to Mote’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital, which has admitted more than 560 sick and injured sea turtles since 1995, including all five species found in the Gulf of Mexico.
Henry was rescued in January off Anna Maria and admitted to Mote’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital, where he arrived covered in seaweed with a very low body temperature, some buoyancy-control issues and papilloma tumors. After a thorough medical exam, antibiotics and removal of the tumors, Henry recovered and was ready to return to the sea — the goal for all of Mote’s hospital patients.
Mote has one of only four hospitals in Florida with special facilities and training to care for turtles suffering from fibropapillomatosis, a little-understood disease that can cause life-threatening papilloma tumors in sea turtles. Because scientists are still learning how this disease is transmitted among turtles, Mote has expanded its “pap” ward, a separate facility just for animals with these tumors.
“We are incredibly grateful for Wells Fargo’s ongoing support to help turtles like Henry be able to return to the wild and hopefully live a long, healthy life,” Byrd said. “Caring for hospitalized marine animals is expensive. Tests to identify diseases and determine the scope of injuries, as well as treatments for hospitalized animals are often the same as for human patients, and at the same cost. Without the support of Wells Fargo, many turtles might not get the chance they deserve.”
Please Report Distressed or Dead Sea Turtles
Mote's Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program monitors sea turtle nesting from Longboat Key through Venice, and Mote's Stranding Investigations Program responds to reports of sick, injured or dead marine mammals and sea turtles in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
- To report issues with sea turtle nests, nesting turtles or hatchlings (babies) from Longboat Key through Venice (such as disoriented hatchlings or storm-damaged nests), please call Mote's Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program at 941-388-4331.
- 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).
About Wells Fargo & Company
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.8 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through 8,800 locations, 13,000 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 36 countries to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 269,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 30 on Fortune’s 2015 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially.