1/11 Turtle was transported to Mote after it was found stranded near Devilfish Key in Charlotte Harbor (near Gasparilla Island). Turtle was cold stunned. 1/14 Turtle has been offered food but is not yet eating; otherwise turtle appears to be acting normal. Turtle's shell has a lot of algal and barnacle growth and is in a 71-degree F medical pool. 3/11 Radiographs of this turtle were suspicious for pneumonia, and it was treated with antibiotics. A single small skin lesion was found near the turtle's right front flipper, possibly a papilloma tumor. This was treated with cryosurgery (freezing) and healed without complications. Oreo began eating and behaving normally, physical exams and bloodwork were all within normal ranges. The turtle was transported back to Charlotte Harbor by Florida Fish and Wildlife for release.

Note: More than 2,000 sea turtles statewide have been affected by record-low January water temperatures. State and federal agencies, along with nonprofit organizations like Mote are responding to this mass stranding by taking in sick sea turtles. To help these animals by making a donation of one of the following items, please call Mote's Development office at 941-388-4441, ext. 509. Click here to make a monetary donation now.
Among the items needed to help care for this record number of turtles at Mote are the following:

• Closed-cell foam padding (this is a high priority and usually available from boat fabricators)
• Kiddie pools, wading pools, cattle waterers or other containers of a similar size that can hold water
• Spray bottles
• Towels and blankets
• Tarps
• Spring clamps (either all metal or plastic)
• Ventilated containers
• Monetary donations to pay for medications, food and satellite tags