Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium Releases Nine Rehabilitated Sea Turtles

January 4, 2021 – Sarasota

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium said a fond farewell to nine juvenile Kemp’s ridley sea turtles today as they were released in New Smyrna at Canaveral National Seashore. 

The nine turtles came to Mote’s care after stranding in the Cape Cod region in November during a cold stun event. As ectothermic (commonly called “cold-blooded”) animals, sea turtles are not able to regulate their body temperatures on their own, and when they find themselves in too-cold water, they become lethargic. This can be potentially fatal as their body functions slow down, leaving them susceptible to predators and boat strikes, allowing for algae to grow on their backs, and more. 

Since Nov. 21, Mote has received three separate groups of cold stun turtles, totaling over 20 turtles. This year’s cold stun event in New England has caused over 900+ strandings, as networks of volunteers, state and federal agencies, and nonprofits work around the clock to fly the turtles to various rehab facilities across the U.S., including Mote in Sarasota. 

After being cleared for release, the nine turtles were given a last physical check and implanted with a PIT tag (passive integrated transponder). These small microchips function much like a pet microchip does, so the animals will be able to identified if they strand again. 

Since the turtles originally stranded in the Atlantic Ocean, Mote’s team drove the turtles across the state for release from the east coast of Florida, in New Smyrna at Canaveral National Seashore. 

The nicknames of the turtles released today were: Art, Canaan, Douglas, Fraser, Noble, Linus, Peppermint Patty, Schroeder, and Charlie Brown. Read more about each patient, and the other’s remaining in Mote’s care, at mote.org/hospital. The third group of cold stun turtles that arrived at Mote on Dec. 22 are still in critical condition. 

Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are considered endangered by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are generally considered the most endangered species of sea turtle, with threats to their population including rising water temperatures, degradation of habitat and nesting areas, and entanglement in marine debris. 

Activities conducted under FWC Marine Turtle Permit MTP-20-126.