Stranded Beach leatherback turtle treated and released
A leatherback sea turtle that was first stranded in Collier County last Monday then stranded again in Lee County last Tuesday was brought to Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota for rehabilitation late Tuesday afternoon then released two days later.
Lizzy, the stranded leatherback sea turtle brought to Mote Marine Laboratory on Tuesday, was successfully released from a boat off the coast of St. Petersburg. Mote staff are advising coastal residents and beachgoers to alert wildlife specialists if the turtle comes ashore again.
The nearly 800-pound adult turtle was transported by staff and volunteers from Mote and Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission this morning to the U.S. Coast Guard station in St. Petersburg. From there, the turtle was transferred to the Fireboat Patriot, a vessel of Tampa Fire Rescue, which carried Lizzy out to sea.
Mote and FWC staff on board released the turtle at 2:10 p.m., 23.5 miles offshore of St. Petersburg in 66 feet of water.
“She slid off the back of the boat, went into the water and surfaced a couple of times for some good deep breaths. She did everything that she was supposed to,” said Mote Veterinarian Dr. Andy Stamper. “And it looks like she oriented herself in the right direction – south.”
Lizzy was originally brought to Mote late Tuesday afternoon by FWC staff after she stranded Tuesday on Big Hickory Island in Lee County. Mote veterinary staff cleaned a wound on her left rear flipper where it attaches to her body and provided antibiotics, but they found no severe injuries or signs of disease after carefully monitoring the turtle and taking blood samples. Because leatherback sea turtles generally don’t do well in enclosed environments, it was in the turtle’s best interest to release her as quickly as possible, Stamper said.
Lizzy’s release at sea was possible thanks to the U.S. Coast Guard, which provided access to their St. Petersburg dock; Tampa Fire Rescue, who transported the turtle on their new boat, the Fireboat Patriot; and local Turtle Time volunteers, who aided with the turtle’s transport.
Turtle Time Founder Eve Haverfield, who helped rescue Lizzy, also witnessed the turtle’s return to the sea.
“This was good for the soul and good for the heart,” she said. “Local efforts got the leatherback off Big Hickory Island, and that island is accessible only by boat. It took an immense amount of effort to even inch the turtle to the boat. Turtle Time volunteers expended an unimaginable amount of energy to rescue that turtle from a barrier island.”
Scientists aren’t sure why Lizzy came ashore or whether she’ll do it again. “Its possible the turtle was trying to nest and became disoriented. If that’s the case, she may try to come ashore again.” Stamper said.
If you see Lizzy or another stranded or dead turtle, dolphin or whale in Sarasota or Manatee county waters, please stay at least 30 feet away from the animal and call Mote’s Stranding Investigations Program, a 24-hour response service, at 941-988-0212.
Source: Mote Marine Laboratory. Bob Petcher contributed to this report