Loggerhead Sea Turtle Set For Release

SARASOTA, FL — An adult female sea turtle found lethargic and reeling from the effects of red tide toxins back in January is set to return to waters off Anna Maria Island on Monday. Mote Marine Laboratory announced the successful recovery of “Mike” the turtle on Friday.

Make was found in waters off Longboat Key back on Jan. 23, the Sarasota aquarium reported.

“Upon initial examination, Mike was extremely lethargic and was suspected to be affected by toxins from Florida red tide algae, Karenia brevis,” an email from Mote said. “Mike was uninterested in eating at first, but she began eating about six days after arrival. Mote medical staff gave her daily fluids and provided injectable antibiotic therapy to treat possible aspiration pneumonia from the stranding event.”

See also: Red Tide Fish Kills Reported Along Central Gulf Coast

Mote scientists also discovered Mike was already equipped with a passive integrated transponder, or PIT tag. This tag gives a turtle its own unique barcode identification number, similar to microchips used for dogs and cats. As it turned out, Mike was equipped with the tag by folks at the University of Central Florida back in 2011 while she was nesting in Brevard County, Mote reported Friday.

After about two-and-a-half months of care at Mote, Mike was medically cleared to return to her home in the water. That release is set for Monday, April 10 around 10 a.m. at Anna Maria Island Bayfront Park, 301 North Bay Blvd., in Anna Maria.

The scientists involved in Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program monitor sea turtle nests from Longboat Key south to Venice. Its Stranding Investigation Program responds to calls about sick, injured or dead marine mammals and sea turtles throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties.

People who witness issues with sea turtle nests, nesting turtles or hatchlings are asked to call the research program at 941-388-4331. To report stranded, injured or dead turtles, dolphin or whales, call the stranding program at 941-988-0212 for a 24-hour response service in Sarasota or Manatee counties. Similar reports outside of those two counties should be made to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-3922.

Mike was named in honor of the husband of the woman that found her struggling in January, Mote officials said on Friday.

Photo courtesy of Mote Marine Laboratory