FLORIDA — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking the public’s help in reporting sightings of sick, strangely acting, or dead turtles.
The FWC is studying a fatal virus infecting freshwater turtles statewide.
Please report sightings to the FWC through the Turtle Hotline 352-339-8597 or through the FWC reporter app on your mobile device.
The FWC has been studying turtle fraservirus 1 (TFV1), formerly known as turtle bunyavirus, since early 2018.
Since then, the virus has been detected in Putnam, Lake, Seminole, Orange, Polk, Osceola, Brevard, Indian River and Collier counties.
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TFV1 has been detected in softshells, cooters, and sliders, and the first TFV1 positive common snapping turtle was discovered earlier this year in southern Indian River County.
A turtle may be sick if it displays any of the following signs:
- Appears sluggish, unresponsive or reluctant to flee.
- Stays in shallow water or beached on banks for prolonged periods of times.
- Head and neck outstretched flat along ground.
- Sunken, swollen, crusty and/or cloudy eyes.
- Reddened skin on head, neck, limbs or bottom of shell.
- Swims irregularly (sideways, in circles unable to submerge).
As part of the ongoing research, the FWC is asking the public for help by taking the following actions:
- Report sightings of sick, strangely acting or dead freshwater turtles to the FWC by calling the Turtle Hotline 352-339-8597 or through the FWC Reporter App.
- If possible and without touching the turtle, take photos of the turtle.
- To avoid spreading the virus, do not capture, transport or release turtles in new locations, even if the turtle appears healthy.
- Executive order #21-19 prohibits the take or transport of all freshwater softshell turtle species or yellow-bellied sliders until the order is repealed.
- Do not eat turtles that are acting strangely or that appear unhealthy.
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There is no current evidence to suggest that humans or wildlife other than turtles can be infected with TFV1.
For more information about TFV1, visit MyFWC.com/wildlifehabitats, click on “Wildlife,” then “Freshwater Turtles” and “Turtle Fraservirus 1.”
