A Kemp’s ridley sea turtle was found dead Sept. 6 at the Anna Maria City Pier, 100 S. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria.
The Kemp’s ridley is the world’s most endangered sea turtle, with a worldwide female nesting population of approximately 1,000, according to the National Geographic Society. Kemp’s ridley turtles are found primarily in the Gulf of Mexico but travel as far north as Nova Scotia.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission contacted Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring executive director Suzi Fox, to investigate the incident and report her findings. There were no obvious characteristics to determine cause of death.
“How this one died is a mystery,” Fox said.
A significant portion of the turtle’s carapace was not intact, but Fox could not tell if the injury had occurred prior to the turtle’s death. Due to the missing shell fragment, Fox was unable to get an accurate measurement. She noted the turtle’s width to be approximately 45 centimeters.
For more information about sea turtles, contact Fox at suzilfox@gmail.com or 941-778-5638.