Two critically endangered sea turtles released
The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife released two critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles today at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park in Collier County. The first of the two turtles, released by veterinary intern Dr. Malka Spektor, was admitted on July 2 after it had sustained what appeared to be a boat strike injury near Redfish Pass on Captiva. Members of Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation’s Turtle Research Program transported the turtle to CROW. Sea turtles can often become the victim of boat strikes or predator attacks as secondary injuries when they are debilitated by red tide poisoning. The second turtle, released by student Emily Brady, was admitted on June 28 after it was found struggling in the water near the Boca Grande causeway. It was transported to CROW by volunteers of the Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association. The turtle was suspected to be suffering the effects of brevetoxicosis, also known as red tide poisoning. It was treated for red tide poisoning using supportive care and a novel treatment as part of an ongoing study in collaboration with the Loggerhead MarineLife Center in Juno Beach. If anyone were to come across a debilitated, injured or dead sea turtle, they are asked to report it to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922), SCCF’s Sea Turtle Hotline at 978-728-3663 or CROW at 239-472-3644.