Turtle Release at Coquina Gulfside Park, Bradenton Beach, Florida

What a fabulous morning at Coquina Gulfside Park in Bradenton Beach! I got to fly my drone and video the release of the turtle named Bortie! She is being sponsored by Bortell’s Lounge in Anna Maria Island, the Seat Turtle Conservatory, Waterline Marina Resort, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring.  

It all started the night before when volunteers under the leadership of Suzi Fox, Director of AMITW (Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch), searched the beach for a turtle laying eggs. They put ropes around her nest with signs, so people will be careful not to trample the eggs.  They then corralled her into a huge box to await the morning.

While in the box Bortie was kept wet and cool by the hard-working volunteers. Then around 7 she was prepared and fitted with a Platform Terminal Transmitter. Bortie will be in the Sea Turtle Conservancy Tour de Turtles when it opens August 1, 2018.

You can track where she goes on your computer!

https://conserveturtles.org/sea-turtle-tracking-tour-de-turtles-sea-turtle-migration-marathon/

Then came the big moment! People were lined up on both sides of the box all the way down to the shoreline. Countdown to 1 and there she went! When she finally hit the water, you could almost feel the weight lifting off her! All the people cheered and clapped for her. Bye bye Bortie!

Sarasota Post Photos / Sande Caplin & Associates Video