As well as human visitors who come to the Florida Keys for rest and renewal, marine creatures in need come calling, too. Some Sea Turtles and Manatees arrive with health problems, while others are injured, orphaned, or lost. When recovered they are released. Throughout the island chain, ailing sea turtles, manatees, dolphins, and whales encounter … Read more
A rare hybrid hawksbill-green seaturtle Maisy, rehabilitated at the Florida Keys-based Turtle Hospital, was fitted with a satellite-tracking transmitter and released from a Florida Keys beach Friday to join the Tour de Turtles, a marathon-like “race” that follows the long-distance migration of sea turtles over three months. The annual educational project, organized by the Sea … Read more
The Turtle Hospital at mile marker 48.5 bayside in Marathon admitted 172 sea turtles last year — nearly double the number of 2014, hospital staff says. Manager Bette Zirkelbach said cases of fibropapillomatosis, a debilitating herpes virus specific to sea turtles, are increasing, especially among juvenile green sea turtles. “Marine turtles with FP have external … Read more
A Marathon man who was caught with a mutilated, endangered sea turtle last spring, along with possessing undersized stone crab claws and lobster out of season, is set to have his day in court this month. Serguei Perez-Perdomo, 38, was arrested May 8, 2014. after he was reportedly found with 212 out-of-season lobster, 12 stone … Read more
Two Miami men who were caught with the tail of an endangered loggerhead sea turtle in Marathon in January are scheduled to appear before County Judge Ruth Becker Aug. 27 for a hearing. Possessing sea turtles or any part of them is against the law. Sea-turtle activists in the Florida Keys are urging Assistant State … Read more
Tuesday, July 14, 2015 Law enforcement had a busy Sunday, arresting two men for spearfishing illegally including one who was allegedly harassing a sea turtle, and chasing a fleeing vehicle through the Key Haven subdivision. In the turtle case, a passerby on the south end of the Long Key Bridge noticed a man and woman taking … Read more
By Timothy O’Hara Citizen Staff The Marathon Turtle Hospital received a new patient Friday, after a Key West Wildlife Center worker rescued a sick sea turtle near the seawall by the Key West International Airport. Don the loggerhead turtle, named after a man who spotted him and called rescuers, was severely emaciated when Key West … Read more