SIESTA KEY, Fla. — A sea turtle made its way back into the ocean during its release off Siesta Key Beach.
The 154-pound female loggerhead turtle named Lil' Dougie was found on Memorial Day in Blackburn Bay by a Sarasota County Sheriff's Office's Creative Communications Specialist Doug Johnson and his wife while they were paddleboarding. She was brought to Mote Marine Laboratory and named after Doug who played a crucial role in her rescue, according to a news release.
"When we found her unable to submerge herself on Memorial Day, a day where there is heightened boat traffic, we knew we had to stay with her until Mote arrived," Johnson said.
Lil' Dougie was missing part of her left front flipper, likely from a shark bite, and suffering from anemia, lethargy and buoyancy issues. She was treated with fluids and antibiotics and placed in a shallow rehabilitation pool, the release read.
By July 6, the turtle was exhibiting normal neutral buoyancy and her front flipper was healed. After 73 days of care, the team decided to release Lil' Dougie. Before they let her back into the ocean, they tagged her to identify her in the future if she is ever encountered again.
"Lil' Dougie demonstrated remarkable resilience," laboratory staff said.
As staff transported her back to the beach, it took quite a few people to lift her into the truck, onto a cart once they got to the beach, onto the sand and finally into the water. Video showed Lil' Dougie splashing around in the ocean and swimming off to find her way home.
If you see a stranded or dead sea turtle or marine mammal within Sarasota or Manatee County waters, you are encouraged to call Mote's Stranding Investigations Program, a 24-hour response service, at 888-345-2335.
If you see a stranded manatee or sea turtle in state waters call the FWC Wildlife Alert hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922).
