1/19 Turtle was cold stunned and rescued from the east coast of Florida. Turtle arrived at Mote on Saturday and has been watched closely. Turtle has several papillomas (tumors). 2/24 Surgery was performed to remove all papilloma tumors and the turtle has recovered very well. Thermic is one of three turtles transported back across the state for release on the east coast today (along with Chai and Blizzard II).

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