JUNO BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A large sea turtle injured along Florida coastline in May returned to the sea after a boat strike Wednesday.
The adult woman, who weighs 302 pounds (137 kilograms), was considered healthy and strong enough to return to the wild after being treated by the veterinarian team at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center for the past few months.
“The sea turtle interaction with the boat is fatal. It was very special to see Pennywise survive the injury and be able to go to our center,” said Marika Weber, veterinarian at the center. “It was something we could fix, heal her and bring her back to the sea.”
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The centre was too large to fit within a more common CT machine, and it was necessary to transport turtles to the horse clinic for diagnostic imaging. There the team discovers she is full of eggs.
Sea turtle nesting season is underway, and Pennywise has the opportunity to lay eggs and continue her important role in the marine ecosystem.
“It was a really exciting day,” Weber said. “We had a community – our whole team here at the hospital, all the departments there – she really wanted.”
As Florida’s nesting season runs from March 1st to October 31st, center officials are encouraged that sailors take particular attention to what is called a sea turtle sanctuary that slows down and stretches a mile off the coast.
All sea turtles are considered endangered or endangered species.
