Mote Needs Rescue Supplies

By Hayley Rutger

Sarasota, FL - Have an old blanket in good condition or an extra garden-variety spray bottle? You can help sea turtles affected by the recent cold snap by donating these and other items to Mote Marine Laboratory, where our turtle rehab facilities remain over-full.

Cold water temperatures have affected thousands of animals statewide, including more than 3,000 sea turtles that have been rescued statewide. Mote is on the receiving end for some of these cold-stunned sea turtles; the patient count remains in flux, but our need for supplies is constant.

Our patients include green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), a federally endangered species, and loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), a federally threatened species, from a number of areas, including Sarasota Bay, Anna Maria Island, Charlotte Harbor and the Titusville area. The turtles are being warmed as we slowly increase the water temperatures in the medical pools where they're being held. The turtles are receiving supportive care and are being offered food.

To continue providing the best possible treatment, transportation and accommodations to this influx of patients, Mote needs more of the following items:

• Closed-cell foam padding (high priority)
• Kiddie pools, wading pools, cattle waterers or other containers of similar size that can hold water
• Spray bottles
• Towels and blankets
• Tarps
• Spring clamps (either all metal or plastic)
• Ventilated containers - the image below shows the preferred container type
• Monetary donations for medications, food and satellite tags

For all donations, please contact Stacy Alexander at 941-388-4441, ext 509 or stacyalexander@mote.org. You can also help these turtles by making a monetary donation at www.mote.org/hospitalhelp.

Mote's efforts to rehabilitate cold-stunned sea turtles are part of a multi-agency response effort that is being coordinated by the state FWC. Federal agencies and nonprofit groups like Mote are also involved in the response.

For the Public:
Within Sarasota or Manatee county waters, if you see a stranded or dead dolphin, whale or sea turtle, 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 dolphin, whale or sea turtle outside of Sarasota or Manatee counties please call the FWC Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

To view Mote Marine Aquarium's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-127-Mote_Marine_Laboratory_Aquarium