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Tiny Turtle With Unusual Tale Released After Recovery at Mote • One Month Later: Edna the Dolphin's Health Improving

Tiny Turtle With Unusual Tale Released After Recovery at Mote

Stanley the loggerhead sea turtle is held by Mote Marine Laboratory caregivers before returning to sea on Tuesday, July 3. Stanley is believed to be a hatchling from 2011 and is the first turtle at this life stage to be admitted to Mote's Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital. From left: Mote volunteer Ashley Carter, Mote intern Mollie McGinnis and Mote staff member Jenna Rouse. (Credit: Mote Marine Laboratory)

• Media: For high-resolution photos, please contact Hayley at 941-374-0081 or hrutger@mote.org
  

A tiny loggerhead sea turtle nicknamed “Stanley” was returned to the wild by caregivers from Mote Marine Laboratory Tuesday morning, July 3, from a boat seven miles offshore of Sarasota.

The 15-ounce turtle with a 5-inch upper shell was released into floating seaweed called Sargassum, where sea turtles this size normally rest and feed. Stanley’s offshore release was possible thanks to boat transportation donated by Marine Max.

This release is a happy ending to an unusual story: Stanley appears to be a hatchling from 2011 and is the first-ever patient to arrive at Mote’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital during this stage of life. Loggerhead sea turtles Stanley’s size normally stay miles offshore; how Stanley remained behind is unknown.

Stanley was brought to Mote on March 20 by staff from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). FWC staff retrieved the turtle from a member of the public who said they rescued it from a canal in Marco Island. Stanley arrived at Mote with abscesses on its body and around its eyes, which were closed.

Mote staff gave Stanley food and antibiotics, cleaned the abscesses and monitored them carefully to ensure they were healing. The turtle began eating on its own within days and it showed a healthy appetite and good energy throughout its stay.

While at Mote, Stanley's weight tripled and its upper shell grew 1.5 inches — signs of health in this young turtle with lots of growing left to do. Adult loggerheads typically weight more than 200 pounds.

All sea turtles are threatened or endangered and are protected by state and federal laws. The loggerhead sea turtle population that nests in Southwest Florida is considered threatened.

• You can help Mote’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital take care of patients great and small by making a donation at www.mote.org/hospitalhelp.

Protecting sea turtles is important year ‘round — especially now during sea turtle nesting season, May 1-Oct. 31. Here are some tips to help clear the way for nesting turtles and their hatchlings:

Do:

• If you encounter a nesting turtle, remain quiet and observe from a distance
• Shield or turn off outdoor lights that are visible on the beach from May through October
• Close drapes after dark and put beach furniture far back from the water
• Fill in holes that may entrap hatchlings on their way to the water
• Place trash in its proper place

Do Not:

• Approach nesting turtles or hatchlings, make noise, or shine lights at turtles
• Use flashlights or fishing lamps on the beach
• Encourage a turtle to move while nesting or pick up hatchlings that have emerged and are heading for the water
• Use fireworks on the beach

Sea turtles are protected under federal law and any harassment or interference with a sea turtle, living or dead, is subject to penalty. If you witness anyone disturbing a turtle or find an injured or disoriented hatchling or adult, please notify agents with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922), the local sheriff’s department, and/or Mote Marine Laboratory’s Sea Turtle Program at 388-4331. If you find a dead or injured sea turtle, contact Mote’s Stranding Investigations Program at 988-0212.

Above: Stanley the loggerhead sea turtle is weighed before release on July 3 at Mote's Sea Turtle Rehabilitation hospital.
Right: Stanley is returned to seaweed called Sargassum, where young loggerheads feed and rest, by Mote intern Mollie McGinnis on July 3. The light green color on the water comes from marine algae. (Credit: Mote Marine Laboratory)

One Month Later: Edna the Dolphin's Health Improving
Edna the bottlenose dolphin is showing signs of improving health today, July 6 — exactly one month after she stranded on Longboat Key and was brought to Mote's Dolphin and Whale Hospital.

"Edna seems to be on an upswing," said Lynne Byrd, Medical Care and Rehabilitation Coordinator at Mote. "Of course, things can change in a blink when you're treating marine wildlife, but right now she’s definitely continuing to improve."

• Read her case history at www.mote.org/edna. Mote needs your support to provide top-notch care for animals like Edna. Please donate to Mote’s animal hospitals at www.mote.org/hospitalhelp. 

Edna remains in critical condition but has been making good progress. She continues to respond well to treatment for pneumonia and other medical conditions, and Mote's animal care staff are hopeful that she will be a candidate for release to the wild.

Edna has gained about 22 pounds during her month at Mote, and she now weighs about 193 pounds. Mote caregivers are still increasing the amount of food she’s given to support healthy weight gain.

Mote staff are awaiting results on some recent medical tests and they expect to give Edna a hearing test within the next two weeks. Mote normally gives dolphin patients a hearing test in the interest of successfully returning them to the wild. Hearing is important to wild dolphins because they use echolocation to orient and feed and they use sounds to communicate.

Mote’s Dolphin and Whale Hospital has treated 70 sick and injured dolphins and small whales since 1992.  Mote’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital has treated more than 400 sea turtles since 1995. All marine mammals and sea turtles are protected species, so helping each animal is critical. You can support these important efforts at www.mote.org/hospitalhelp.

• Edna had a special visit Monday from Loretta Swit, an Emmy® Award-winning TV and theater actress — famed for her role as Major Margaret Houlihan of “M*A*S*H” — and a passionate animal advocate. Click here to read the full story.