On Monday morning, August 12, Mote Marine Laboratory released a 154-pound, about 3-foot-long, subadult, female loggerhead sea turtle nicknamed “Lil’ Dougie” off Siesta Key Beach.
Lil’ Dougie’s journey began on Memorial Day, May 27, 2024, when she was found floating in Blackburn Bay by Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office’s Creative Communications Specialist Doug Johnson and his wife Susannah while they were paddle boarding. Named after Doug who played a crucial role in her rescue, Lil’ Dougie was quickly brought to Mote Marine Laboratory for emergency care.
“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,” said Doug Johnson. “It was just incredible to be part of this turtle’s rescue, and then, today, witness her being released again. We’re grateful to Mote for what they do, and are happy to have helped this turtle return to where she came from.”
Upon arrival at Mote’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital, it was discovered that Lil’ Dougie was missing part of her left front flipper, likely due to a shark interaction. Additionally, she was suffering from anemia, lethargy, and buoyancy issues. Immediate treatments included subcutaneous fluids, injectable antibiotics, and placement in a shallow rehabilitation pool.
Despite her initial challenges, Lil’ Dougie demonstrated remarkable resilience. She began eating well, eagerly accepting shrimp, capelin, and squid. Over the following weeks, her condition steadily improved, and her buoyancy issues resolved. By July 6, Lil’ Dougie was exhibiting normal neutral buoyancy, and she was given deeper water to swim in. Her left front flipper has also healed well.
After 78 days of dedicated care, Lil’ Dougie has been released. With a PIT tag, a Passive Integrated Transponder tag, the same technology as the “microchips” used in pet dogs and pet cats, affixed by Mote’s team, her return to the ocean will not only signify her successful recovery but will also allow her to be identified in the future if she is ever encountered again.
“Days like today, where we are able to successfully rescue and release a sea turtle after expert rehabilitation care at Mote, is what inspires me. Not every turtle, especially a turtle with a potential shark bite or a turtle found floating on Memorial Day, is as lucky. Without the help of Doug and Susannah, we wouldn’t have been able to have helped this turtle, and we are so grateful for the incredible support and partnership we have with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office,” said Gretchen Lovewell, Mote’s Strandings Investigations Program Manager.
Lil’ Dougie’s story underscores the resilience of these creatures and the commitment of those working to protect sea turtles.
These research efforts are supported in part by grants awarded from the Sea Turtle Grants Program and Longboat Key Turtle Watch used to purchase equipment.
Within Sarasota or Manatee County waters, if you see a stranded or dead sea turtle or marine mammal please 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 or a stranded or of Sarasota or Manatee counties, please call the FWC Wildlife Alert hotline at 1 (888) 404-FWCC (3922). For stranded dolphins or whales anywhere outside Sarasota or Manatee Counties, please call NOAA Fisheries at 1 (877) 433-8299.
Mote’s sea turtle activities are conducted under Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Marine Turtle Permits 155, 216, 027, 054, 070, 048, 126, and 028.
Fast Facts:
• Mote’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital has admitted more than 900 sick and injured sea turtles since 1995.
• The Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital has treated all five species found in the Gulf of Mexico, including turtles that were sickened during the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
