Aquarium Treats Rare Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Exposed To Red Tide

CLEARWATER, FL — Nature hasn't been kind to some of the most vulnerable marine creatures on Florida's west coast.

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is now caring for a juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle, considered the world's most endangered species of sea turtle, after she was found floating in waters contaminated by red tide off Madeira Beach July 22.

When she arrived at the aquarium, she was showing neurological symptoms caused by red tide exposure.

The neurological effects inhibited the turtle's ability to swim. Veterinarians at the aquarium immediately treated her with fluids and nutrition through an IV to flush the red tide toxins out of her system, and she's slowly recovering.

Red tide is a naturally occurring phenomenon caused by a species of algae, Karenia brevis, that secretes a toxin that affects the nervous systems of sea life.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration believes the red tide now ravaging Florida's west coast was forced from the middle of the Gulf of Mexico to the shoreline by tidal waves and winds from Tropical Storm Elsa July 6 and 7.

Sea Turtle Trackers, a group that patrols the beaches of St. Pete Beach and Shell Key Preserve, protecting sea turtle nests burrowed in the sands, said the red tide is the second wave of destruction caused by the tropical storm.

The group said Tropical Storm Elsa's storm surge flooded seven turtle nests filled with eggs, killing hundreds of unborn sea turtles.

Other groups monitoring sea turtle nests along the coast reported similar findings with Collier County among the hardest hit. Nest monitors said 396 nests were inundated with storm surge.

Now those volunteers who patrol beaches during nesting season from May to October are seeing dead sea turtles wash onto beaches and into canals and inlets with more than 600 tons of other marine life killed by red tide.

Among the victims of red tide, Sea Turtle Trackers recently found two dead Kemp's ridley turtles, which are on the endangered species list after their population diminished to 7,000 to 9,000 worldwide. They also found a green turtle on the beach that had succumbed to the impacts of red tide.

If you find a dead, sick or injured sea turtle, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation's 24-hour Wildlife Alert Number at 1-888-404-FWCC.

See related story:

Deaths Of Rare Sea Turtles, Manatees Attributed To Red Tide Toxin