Loggerhead Sea Turtle Release Set for Friday

SARASOTA, FL — Tampa Bay area residents who want to witness a sea turtle release in person will get their chance this Friday. Mote Marine Laboratory has announced plans to release “Tucker B,” a sub-adult loggerhead sea turtle bright and early in the morning.

Tucker B’s release is planned to take place at the Lido Key beach access, across from the Holiday Inn at 233 Ben Franklin Drive, in Sarasota at 9:30 a.m. Tucker B was a stranded sea turtle discovered in Boca Grande on May 22.

The Boca Grande Fire Department brought out its “sea turtle sling” to help transport Tucker B to Mote’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital, the marine reported in an email to media.

“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,” the email said.

Tucker B had no interest in eating when he first arrived, so staff fed him subcutaneous fluids, antibiotics and calcium supplements to keep him going until his appetite returned. Before too long, “he started gaining weight and looking much healthier and about four months later Mote was able to medically clear him for release.”

Tucker B was given his name by students from Bradenton Christian School. The kids raised $876 in April to help Mote’s sea turtle hospital. To thank the students for their donation, Mote staff asked them to name the newest loggerhead arrival.

Tampa Bay area residents interested in watching Tucker B’s release are invited out to do so, Mote officials said.

Sea turtle nesting season in the Tampa Bay area kicks off each year in May and runs through October. Sea turtles are protected under federal law. It is illegal to harass or interfere with them in any way or to disturb a nest.

Folks who want to help protect sea turtles are asked to report distressed or dead turtles to Mote’s Stranding Investigations Program in the Sarasota and Manatee county areas at 941-988-0212. For distressed, stranded or dead sea turtles, manatee, whales or dolphins outside of Sarasota and Manatee counties, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 1-888-404-3922.

To learn more about Mote and its efforts on behalf of Florida's aquatic creatures, visit it online.

Photo courtesy of Mote Marine Laboratory