Mote releases turtle off Nokomis beach
On Monday, March 13, Mote Marine Laboratory released a subadult loggerhead sea turtle named “Grimes” off Nokomis Beach.
“It was so rewarding to return Grimes back to the sea, like it is with all the animals we are able to release,” said Lynne Byrd, Medical Care and Rehabilitation Coordinator for Mote. “Grimes was the perfect patient and was able to be released in under just two months.”
Grimes was found near the north end of Don Pedro State Park on Jan. 8, 2017, and was transported to Mote for rehabilitation. Mote staff member Jim Grimes found the turtle, which was later nicknamed after him.
On first observation, the turtle was very lethargic and may have been affected by a slight exposure to Florida red tide, a bloom of the naturally occurring, microscopic algae Karenia brevis, which produces neurotoxins that can kill or sicken marine animals and cause respiratory irritation in people on or near the water.
Grimes the turtle was given subcutaneous fluids until it could eat on its own and was also given antibiotics to fight infection, due to an elevated white blood cell count.
Please report distressed or dead sea turtles and marine mammals.
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.
- 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).