Urban Wildlife

Clearwater Marine Aquarium lends helping hand to sea turtle

Submitted by Gillian Finklea, Web Producer, 10 News In Your Neighborhood

Saturday, April 6th, 2013, 12:32pm

Clearwater Marine Aquarium lends helping hand to sea turtle

Clearwater, Florida -- On Valentine’s Day, 2012, an employee of St. Augustine Ecotours happened upon a juvenile Green Sea Turtle which was taken to the Marine Science Center in Volusia County. After being struck by a boat which left blue paint on her severely damaged carapace and cracked plastron, this little girl affectionately became known as “Labatt.”

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Restrictions for reclaimed water implemented

Submitted by Gillian Finklea, Web Producer, 10 News In Your Neighborhood

Sunday, March 31st, 2013, 2:28pm

Restrictions for reclaimed water implemented

Pinellas County, Florida -- The season reclaimed water restrictions for Pinellas County reclaimed water customers will begin on Monday, April 1.

These reductions help avoid reclaimed water shortages during Florida’s traditional dry seasons which is April to June and October to November.

From April 1 to June 30, irrigation with reclaimed water supplied by Pinellas County is limited to three days per week, based on the resident's home address. The mandatory seasonal restrictions state:

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Walle the Otter newest resident at Clearwater aquarium

Submitted by Jim Peppard, Assignment Editor

Wednesday, February 20th, 2013, 11:44am

Walle the Otter newest resident at Clearwater aquarium

Clearwater Beach, Florida -- An otter raised on a boat as a pup and unable to return to the wild now will live out his years at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

Walle, a North American River Otter, will join two other otters, Cooper and Oscar, under the care of the aquarium's training team, CMA said last week.

His caretaker raised him on a boat from the time he was a pup, CMA said, but when he became a juvenile is was obvious he needed more intense care and could not resume life as a normal otter.

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No holiday for wildlife on Memorial Day

Submitted by Mary Burrell, Operations Manager, Pinellas County Communications

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012, 5:25pm

The beautiful shores, islands and parks of Pinellas County beckon both residents and visitors for a fun-filled Memorial Day weekend, but this can be a dangerous period for the wildlife that make this habitat their home. Residents and visitors are urged to follow posted rules, regulations and boating speed zones to keep wildlife safe.

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Lights out to protect sea turtles

Submitted by Kip Michalak, Associate Producer

Saturday, April 28th, 2012, 10:20am

Clearwater, Florida -- Sea turtle nesting season begins May 1 and ends Oct. 31.

Because newly-hatched turtles find their way to the sea by following the natural light reflected by the water, city ordinances determine specific lighting requirements for beach parking lots, streets, and promenades.

If you live near the beach, make sure you shut off or dim your lights at night.

This precaution can reduce the amount of artificial light that reaches turtle nests and will help hatchlings reach the water safely.

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CMA to release rehabilitated sea turtle

Submitted by Jim Peppard, Assignment Editor

Friday, December 2nd, 2011, 2:07pm

Clearwater Beach, Florida -- A juvenile green sea turtle rehabilitated at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium was released Thursday in the Charlotte Harbor area.

"Emmie," as she's was named, was rescued in Lee County on Oct. 30 and brought to the aquarium suffering lethargy, slow heart rate and swelling around the eyes - symptoms that suggested red tide intoxication.

There were red tide blooms in that area at the time of her rescue.

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Four additional sentinel chickens test positive for St. Louis encephalitis

Submitted by Mary Burrell, Operations Manager, Pinellas County Communications

Thursday, September 15th, 2011, 11:21am

Four additional sentinel chickens test positive for St. Louis encephalitis

Pinellas County Mosquito Control received confirmation of positive results for St. Louis encephalitis in four additional sentinel chickens. There is now a total of nine sentinel chickens that tested positive for the virus.

Sentinel chickens serve as an early-warning detection system for mosquito-borne arboviral diseases and can signal the fact that mosquitoes carrying the diseases are present in the area. There are eight locations in the county where chickens are kept and tested weekly.

The sentinel chickens that were confirmed positive were kept at the North County Maintenance Yard in Palm Harbor (2), Sawgrass Lake Park in St. Petersburg (1), Walsingham Park in Seminole (3), the Oldsmar Sewage Treatment Center in Oldsmar (2) and the Keller Water Treatment Facility in Tarpon Springs (1).

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