Mote releases rehabilitated sea turtle into Gulf of Mexico

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium released a rehabilitated loggerhead sea turtle named Violet on Wednesday morning into the Gulf of Mexico.

Longboat Key projects manager Charlie Mopps and Public Works officer manager Alex Lowe-Mains assisted in Violet's release at the 4001 Gulf Mexico Drive public beach access point across the street from Bayfront Park.

“Charlie is helping provide the muscle,” Lowe-Mains joked.

Mote requested the town's assistance in carrying Violet, and to help stop traffic along Gulf of Mexico Drive as the lab's cargo van got onto the beach. About a half dozen people helped carry the turtle from the van.

Mote Marine Lab content development manager Hayley Rutger said Violet weighs about 215 pounds. Violet had been at Mote's Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital since Sept. 1, Rutger said. Mote initially found Violet beached near Martinique North Condos in Holmes Beach.

“She was brought in to our hospital by our Stranding Investigations Program,” Rutger said. “They got a call from the public, they picked up the stranded turtle and then they brought her in, they did a physical examination. And, we saw that the flipper had been amputated.”

Rutger said Mote scientists believed Violet lost her left front flipper because of a fishing gear entanglement.

“They didn't see the gear, but based on their knowledge and the appearance of the injury, it looked that way,” Rutger said. “When we see this come in, we're usually sad to see it, but it's definitely not the first time, so we kind of put the message out that people need to be very careful about not leaving fishing gear behind in the environment.”

Mote scientists also did an X-ray on Violet's front right flipper because of a possible dislocation. Doctors gave her an injectable antibiotic and then moved to iron supplements. On Nov. 13, scientists moved Violet to a larger rehabilitation pool for deeper diving and exercising her front right flipper.

Despite missing her front left flipper, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission deemed Violet was cleared for release after 15 weeks of rehabilitation. Rutger said Mote still has about 18 other turtles rehabbing in its hospital.

“It's a constant process of dedication,” Rutger said. “This team [is made up of] my friends here at Mote and I think they're wonderful people. So, every time I see a turtle succeed because of them, it's very, very heartwarming.”

Rutger advised anyone in Manatee or Sarasota counties to report stranded, injured, or dead marine mammals and sea turtles by calling Mote's Stranding Investigation Program at 888-345-2335. The hotline operates 24/7.