1/11 This cold-stunned sea turtle was brought to Mote from Florida's east coast. Chai weighs 20.65 kg and has a carapace length of 49.1 cm. Chai has what appears to be a deformed carapace from an old wound of unknown origin. Chai also has eye damage that appears as if it could have been caused by a bird. 1/14 Turtle has been offered food, but is not yet eating. Temperature in Chai's medical pool is 71-degrees F. 2/24 Turtle has had surgery to remove several papillomas, and the eye has healed incredibly well, even appearing to be visual. Chai has been eating well and surgery wounds have healed. Three turtles: Chai, Thermic, and Blizzard II, were transported back across the state to the East Coast by Florida Fish and Wildlife Commision staff for release today.

Note: More than 3,000 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