Mote Marine releases rehabbed juvenile green sea turtle off Anna Maria Island

ANNA MARIA -- Henry, a juvenile green sea turtle, was released off Anna Maria Island on Thursday after being taken care of by Mote Marine staff.

With a wave of a flipper, he was off and swimming away from the gaggle of people. That's exactly what Lynne Byrd, the rehabilitation and medical care coordinator for Mote, wanted to see.

"It went really well," Byrd said. "He did great, no buoyancy issues. He did what he wanted to. We did a good job with him."

Henry was found Jan. 23 offshore on Anna Maria and was brought to the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital at Mote. His body temperature was low, he was covered in

seaweed, he had floating issues and also had a few small papilloma tumors. Henry, who officials estimate to be between 10 and 20 years old, had to be warmed up and stay under observation for two months after the tumors were removed -- to ensure they didn't grow back -- before he could be released.

Henry's care and release costs were made possible by grant money from Wells Fargo, which has helped finance the care and released of four sea turtles so far.

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, according to officials. 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.

For John Soto, the Wells Fargo district manager in Sarasota, seeing Henry take off back into the wild was a special event. It was Soto's first time seeing a sea turtle release.

"It was a great experience," he said. "It was just a great opportunity to see what happens."

Mote officials asked the public to help them by reporting sightings of distressed or dead sea turtles. 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 issues with sea turtle nests, nesting turtles or hatchlings from Longboat Key through Venice, call Mote's Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program at 941-388-4331. On Anna Maria Island, call Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch & Shorebird Monitoring at 941-778-5638.

Within Sarasota or Manatee county waters, if you see a stranded or dead sea turtle, dolphin or whale, 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, call the FWC Wildlife Alert hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922).

Byrd said to be mindful of lights and leaving trash of objects on the beach.

"Just respect that this is their home, too" she said.

Meghin Delaney, education reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7081. Follow her on Twitter @MeghinDelaney.

This story was originally published May 12, 2016 at 11:26 PM with the headline "Mote Marine releases rehabbed juvenile green sea turtle off Anna Maria Island ."