Mote releases sea turtle from Anna Maria Island
Mote Marine Laboratory released female loggerhead sea turtle "Mike" this morning, April 10, off Anna Maria Island, following two-and-a-half months of rehabilitative care.
The adult female turtle was rescued off Longboat Key and brought to Mote’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital on Jan. 23, 2017. Upon rescue, Mike was extremely lethargic and was suspected to be affected by Florida red tide algae toxins. Mote staff provided excellent care including food, daily fluids and antibiotic therapy for possible pneumonia. Mike regained her vigor and Mote was able to medically clear her for release.
During today's release, Mote caregivers placed Mike on the beach and she made a quick beeline out to sea. In fact, she returned home just in time for sea turtle nesting season.
"The beautiful thing about this animal is that she's an adult female; she's one of the turtles we see nesting on Florida's beaches," said Lynne Byrd, Medical Care and Rehabilitation Coordinator at Mote. "She was previously tagged by others on a nesting beach on Florida's east coast. It's heartwarming to think that she can once again contribute to the population."
Mike arrived at Mote in January with a passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag, which gives the turtle a unique barcode identification number similar to the microchips for cats and dogs. The University of Central Florida implanted the tag in 2011 when Mike nested in Brevard County.
Please report distressed or dead sea turtles:
Mote's Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program monitors sea turtle nesting from Longboat Key through Venice each day of nesting season, May 1-Oct. 31 in southwest Florida. 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 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Wildlife Alert hotline: 1 (888) 404-FWCC (3922).