Five de-oiled sea turtles from Mote released

Five juvenile Kemp’s ridley sea turtles rescued from Louisiana waters affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill were released Thursday, Sept. 16, in waters off Collier County after being treated at Mote Marine Laboratory’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital.

The turtles were released as part of a group of 28 Kemp’s ridley and green turtles that were rescued and rehabilitated from oil-spill effects at facilities throughout Florida.

Since Aug. 4, Mote’s turtle hospital has accepted 14 juvenile Kemp’s ridley turtles from Louisiana, 13 of which have been released. The remaining turtle did not come into direct contact with oil. However, its blood work shows other potential health problems requiring further monitoring and care.

Mote’s turtle hospital will likely receive more de-oiled turtles in the coming weeks.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].