Pat Jones' Special Report: Mote Turtle Release

We couldn't stay away this morning even though it meant getting up before dawn AGAIN. This turtle has been in the sea turtle hospital since April when she washed ashore sick at Naples. She was first tagged in 1988 when she had to be at least 30 years old. Since then she's been tagged numerous times in Sarasota County, Casey Key. Without Mote's intervention she surely would have succumbed to her illness. You can read more about her and follow her path on seaturtles.org. It was an emotional experience, as always.

Vickie Lee in her corral before being prepped for her transmitter and release:

First you sandpaper an area on her carapace in preparation for the expoxy.

After sandpaper, acetone and water,
Dr. Tony applies a mixture of expoxy.

Next the transmitter is set.
Everytime she comes up for air the satellite will read her position.

Next anti-fouling marine paint is applied.

After about 30 minutes in the corral she's ready to go!

Good close-up. So pretty and clean - that won't last.
Soon she'll have barnacles.

Almost there. Tough crawl to the water.
She weighs 248 lbs. AND, she's about 50 years old!

Hooray! The Gulf of Mexico surf at last!

Good bye, Vickie Lee.
Have a nice long life. Come back to Sarasota County.

It's nice to have a happy ending. : )