Joe Foster's Blog

The Little Turtle That Could

In this day and age, we are bombarded with so much gloom and doom in the news. So, when I came across this article, I couldn’t resist sharing. Maybe it will give you that warm and fuzzy feeling knowing that there are still great things happening out there.

Rescued off Anna Maria Island, Valentine the sea turtle released to the Gulf of Mexico

An adorable little green sea turtle nicknamed “Valentine” was released Monday morning from Longboat Key after successful rehabilitation at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida.

Valentine is a juvenile green sea turtle that was rescued at Anna Maria Island by Pete Gross, a volunteer coordinator with Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch, and brought to Mote’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital on Feb. 13, 2011 — just before Valentine’s Day. The little turtle was appropriately named “Valentine”. On the holiday, Feb. 14, Valentine began eating, which is a great indicator of good health.

The turtle was missing its left front flipper for unknown reasons and had numerous fibropapillomas — a type of tumor caused by a virus. Mote is one of only three Florida facilities that regularly treats turtles with these tumors.

Turtle watchers gathered on the beach on Longboat Key for the release of the turtle. Mote staff reported that Valentine didn't have any trouble swimming with her disability.

Article from Bradenton.com August 29, 2011