Mote releases loggerhead sea turtle off Lido Beach
Today, Mote Marine Laboratory released a subadult loggerhead named “Tucker B” off Lido Beach.
“Today was a great release,” said Lynne Byrd, Mote’s Rehabilitation and Medical Care Coordinator. “Tucker was a very laidback, low maintenance patient and he maintained that same attitude from the day he arrived to the day he was released. He always went on his own pace, and he even took his time today before swimming freely in the water.”
Tucker B stranded in Boca Grande, Florida May 22. The turtle was spotted and reported by someone from The Gasparilla Inn Beach Club and Dr. Jeff Humbarger, the Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association patroller of the beach area where the turtle was found.
With the help of the Boca Grande Fire Department, which has a “sea turtle sling” that was donated by island resident Grace Harvey to help in these situations, the turtle was transported to Mote’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital. On first examination, the turtle had minor, old wounds on its head and carapace (shell) and was covered in epibiota (barnacles and algae) and was very lethargic.
Upon further examination, Mote animal care staff learned Tucker also suffered from a slight exposure to Florida red tide (naturally occurring, microscopic algae that produces neurotoxins that can kill marine animals and be harmful to humans) and lethargic loggerhead syndrome — a condition caused by blood parasites that can leave sea turtles listless and vulnerable to predators and other dangers.
Because Tucker B did not have any interest in eating when he first arrived at Mote, Mote medical staff gave the turtle daily subcutaneous fluids, injectable antibiotics and calcium supplementation for about a week until he started eating on his own. He started gaining weight and looking much healthier and about four months later Mote was able to medically clear him for release.
“It is such an incredible moment when we get to release these animals back to their home, but I am especially happy to see Tucker back in the wild today,” Byrd said. “When Tucker was found, there were very few signs of life, but the people and Fire Department in Boca Grande didn’t give up, transferred him to Mote and we were able to release him almost four months later.”
The turtle was nicknamed “Tucker” by students from the Bradenton Christian School who raised $876 in April to benefit Mote Marine Laboratory’s Sea Turtle Hospital. In honor of the students’ efforts, Mote offered for the students to name the newest sea turtle the hospital just received and the class named the turtle “Tucker B”.
“As a nonprofit, we rely on the support of the community, our interns and our staff, and I wanted to thank everyone who helped get Tucker back to his home,” Byrd said.
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).