IT’S ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE GREAT CEDAR KEY STORIES…
ISURUS THE TURTLE… HOOKED, SAVED, RETURNED HOME
July 2, 2020
ISURUS THE TURTLE… HOOKED, SAVED, RETURNED HOME
July 2, 2020
It does take a village to raise a child…and to take care of a turtle.
This time, again, Cedar Key is the village and Isurus is the turtle.
This time, again, Cedar Key is the village and Isurus is the turtle.
HOOKED
The first villagers to help this turtle were three teens and a mom visiting in Cedar Key where they inadvertently hooked a Kemp's Ridley sea turtle while fishing from Bridge Number Four. June 16, 2020, was the day. The fishing group, thoughtful and deliberate, took precisely the appropriate action: they sought help from those who know.
The first villagers to help this turtle were three teens and a mom visiting in Cedar Key where they inadvertently hooked a Kemp's Ridley sea turtle while fishing from Bridge Number Four. June 16, 2020, was the day. The fishing group, thoughtful and deliberate, took precisely the appropriate action: they sought help from those who know.
GUIDED AND HELPED
The next villager, the man in the know, was Florida Fish and Wildlife’s Jim Bainbridge, the man to whom the fishing group took the hooked turtle. Bainbridge works at the Kirkpatrick Laboratory in Cedar Key. The fishing group’s two teenage girls, 15 and 17 years old, were instrumental in securing Bainbridge’s help.
The next villager, the man in the know, was Florida Fish and Wildlife’s Jim Bainbridge, the man to whom the fishing group took the hooked turtle. Bainbridge works at the Kirkpatrick Laboratory in Cedar Key. The fishing group’s two teenage girls, 15 and 17 years old, were instrumental in securing Bainbridge’s help.
The turtle was held and cared for by Jim Bainbridge at the FWC lab, while he arranged transfer to the next villager.
TRANSPORTED
That villager next on the scene was Dr. Michael Walsh, Clinical Associate Professor of Aquatic Animal Health, Department of Comparative, Diagnostic and Population Medicine at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida. Walsh also is a part-time biologist with the UF Marine Animal Rescue.
That villager next on the scene was Dr. Michael Walsh, Clinical Associate Professor of Aquatic Animal Health, Department of Comparative, Diagnostic and Population Medicine at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida. Walsh also is a part-time biologist with the UF Marine Animal Rescue.
And rescue he did! Walsh transported Isurus from the Cedar Key Lab to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium where the turtle would be “de-hooked” and could recover.
The UF Marine Animal Rescue has a three-and-a-half year FWC grant which focuses upon rescuing stranded marine mammals in the Levy, Dixie, and Taylor county region. Often the task goes beyond mammals.
DE-HOOKED
At the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Homosassa, more villagers cared for the Kemps Ridley. These scientists christened the turtle Isurus, unhooked it, tagged it for reference should it reappear after release, and helped it recuperate for two weeks.
At the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Homosassa, more villagers cared for the Kemps Ridley. These scientists christened the turtle Isurus, unhooked it, tagged it for reference should it reappear after release, and helped it recuperate for two weeks.
RETURNED HOME
On July 2, 2020, just sixteen days later, Dr Mike Walsh returned Isurus to Cedar Key waters. FWC's Mary Bottenberg was there to meet Isurus.
On July 2, 2020, just sixteen days later, Dr Mike Walsh returned Isurus to Cedar Key waters. FWC's Mary Bottenberg was there to meet Isurus.
PUT TO SEA
Even more villagers met Walsh in Cedar Key on July 2. UF Nature Coast Biological Station Director Dr. Mike Allen selected the most propitious place to set Isurus back into the water. He, Dr. Mike Walsh, and UF’s Lori Adler and Laura Burns marched the turtle into the thigh-high, warm Gulf waters and gently placed him there.
Even more villagers met Walsh in Cedar Key on July 2. UF Nature Coast Biological Station Director Dr. Mike Allen selected the most propitious place to set Isurus back into the water. He, Dr. Mike Walsh, and UF’s Lori Adler and Laura Burns marched the turtle into the thigh-high, warm Gulf waters and gently placed him there.
HAPPY ENDING
Isurus circled slightly and then headed toward Gomez Key. No hesitation there. Isurus was home.
Pictures courtesy of Mike Walsh, Mary Bttenberg.
If you find a sick, injured or diseased animal, please call UF Marine Animal Rescue at 352-477-0344 or Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922). They will do their best to rally the villagers.
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