Clearwater Marine Aquarium released six rehabilitated sea turtles at Honeymoon Island State Park on February 22. All were juvenile green sea turtles, except for one juvenile hawksbill named Weebo. The sea turtles were impacted by various threats, including monofilament fishing line entanglement, the fibropapilloma virus, and the previous cold-water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico last month.
Lotus
Lotus was found near Bear Island in Citrus County on October 22, 2017 with fibropapilloma tumors. With treatments including glucose checks, fluids, antibiotics, vitamins, and surgical removal of the tumors, Lotus is now ready to go home!
Ivory
Ivory stranded in Crystal River, Hernando County on September 23, 2017, with fibropapilloma tumors and entangled in fishing line. Luckily the fishing line did not create any significant injuries, so the turtle was treated with a course of glucose checks, fluids, antibiotics, vitamins, and eventual surgical removal of external tumors. Good luck out there, Lotus!
Snapdragon
On December 2, 2017, Snapdragon was found tangled in fishing line with external fibropapilloma tumors. Luckily, the fishing line caused no significant injuries. The turtle was given a course of glucose checks, antibiotics, vitamins, and fluids, and underwent surgical removal of the external tumors. Snapdragon now has a clean bill of health and is going home!
Capricorn
Capricorn was one of the first turtles to strand in our area during the cold weather back in January, stranding on January 4, 2018, at Honeymoon Island State Park in Pinellas County. Although missing his left front flipper, it was already healed and the turtle just needed to be warmed up. With a course of glucose checks, fluids, and vitamins, Capricorn was now ready to go home!
Daral
On January 24, Daral (short for the cheese “Daralagjazsky,” a Russian goat cheese), was found stranded in Pinellas County, due to lethargy and the cold weather. Daral was given glucose checks, fluids, and was ready for release with the warmer ocean waters!
WEEBO
Weebo
Weebo, a juvenile hawksbill, stranded on January 7, 2018, at Clearwater Beach due to lethargy and the cold weather. After a course of regular glucose checks and fluid administration, Weebo was ready to be released!
All marine turtle footage taken in Florida was obtained with the approval of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) under conditions not harmful to marine turtles. Footage was acquired while conducting authorized conservation activities pursuant to FWC MTP-18-172.