A once injured sea turtle is off to a new life.

  • Rehabbed juvenile green sea turtle nicknamed “Henry” released back into the wild near Anna Maria Bayfront Park
  • 28.6 pound turtle was rescued off of the island earlier this year
  • Suffered from cold snap event, old boat strike and also had fibro papilloma tumors

On Thursday morning, Mote Marine Laboratory released a rehabbed juvenile green sea turtle nicknamed “Henry” back into the wild from Anna Maria Island. He was released near Anna Maria Bayfront Park.

“Today’s sea turtle release went flawlessly,” said Lynne Byrd, Mote’s Rehabilitation and Medical Care Coordinator. “The animal went out with no problem despite some buoyancy issues when we first found him, and he had no problem diving into the water, avoiding people, and is now swimming happily and freely. It was a very happy, successful release.”

The 28.6 pound turtle was rescued off of the island earlier this year and was found in pretty bad shape.

“Henry was a juvenile green sea turtle that came to us at the end of January this year,” said Byrd. “He was suffering from a cold snap event we had, an old boat strike, and he was also presented with these tumors called fibro papilloma tumors.”

Henry was admitted to Mote’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital, where he arrived covered in seaweed with a very low body temperature, some buoyancy-control issues and papilloma tumors.

After a thorough medical exam, antibiotics and removal of the tumors, Henry recovered and was ready to return to the wild.

Mote has one of only four hospitals in Florida with special facilities and training to care for turtles suffering from fibropapillomatosis, a little-understood disease that can cause life-threatening papilloma tumors in sea turtles.

Because scientists are still learning how this disease is transmitted among turtles, Mote has expanded its “pap” ward, a separate facility just for animals with these tumors.

The 28.6 pound turtle was named Henry after Wells Fargo’s founder Henry Wells.

Henry’s rehabilitation was made possible by a 2015 grant of $7,500 from Wells Fargo awarded to Mote’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital, which has admitted more than 560 sick and injured sea turtles since 1995, including all five species found in the Gulf of Mexico.

“We are incredibly grateful for Wells Fargo’s ongoing support to help turtles like Henry be able to return to the wild and hopefully live a long, healthy life,” Byrd said. “Caring for hospitalized marine animals is expensive. Tests to identify diseases and determine the scope of injuries, as well as treatments for hospitalized animals are often the same as for human patients, and at the same cost. Without the support of Wells Fargo, many turtles might not get the chance they deserve.”

Mote's Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program monitors sea turtle nesting from Longboat Key through Venice, and Mote's Stranding Investigations Program responds to reports of sick, injured or dead marine mammals and sea turtles in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

To report distressed or dead sea turtles:

  • To report issues with sea turtle nests, nesting turtles or hatchlings (babies) from Longboat Key through Venice (such as disoriented hatchlings or storm-damaged nests), please call Mote's Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program at 941-388-4331.
  • Within Sarasota or Manatee county waters, if you see a stranded or dead sea turtle, dolphin or whale, please call Mote's Stranding Investigations Program, a 24-hour response service, at (941) 988-0212.
  • If you see a stranded or dead manatee anywhere in state waters or a stranded or dead sea turtle, dolphin or whale outside of Sarasota and Manatee counties, please call the FWC Wildlife Alert hotline at 1 (888) 404-FWCC (3922).