Community Corner
Sick Sea Turtle Rescued Off Honeymoon Island
The juvenile green sea turtle was "gasping for air" and "struggling to swim" about 200 yards from Honeymoon Island State Park, according to the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission. It will be rehabilitated at Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
Rescuers pulled a sick juvenile green sea turtle from the water off Friday morning, according to a news release from the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The turtle was gasping for air and struggling to swim when it was spotted about 200 yards from shore.
Two Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers who were on water patrol at Anclote Key were on the scene within minutes of the 10:36 a.m. call, the news release states.
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The turtle was taken to Clearwater Marine Aquarium to be rehabilitated.
It suffers from buoyancy concerns and fibropapilloma tumors, which are caused by a virus, Krista Rosado, spokeswoman for Clearwater Marine Aquarium, said in an email.
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Clearwater Marine Aquarium has rehabilitated and released five sea turtles so far this year, according to Rosado.
If you see a dead, sick or injured sea turtle, contact the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's 24-hour wildlife alert number at 1-888-404-3922.
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