On the shores of Red Reef Park in Boca Raton, two juvenile green sea turtles made a ceremonious return back to their aquatic homes.
After being treated at Robyn’s Place, a rehabilitation center at the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, sea turtle patients Terra and Marina were released Thursday evening by The Coastal Stewards.
According to the nonprofit group, Terra was in the rehab center since Earth Day in April after she was found with hooks in her flipper and esophagus. Marina had hooks removed from her mouth and flipper, and the team treated her wounds and taught her how to eat fish and vegetables in creative ways as she healed.
Helping the sea turtles along were Dr. Shelby Loos, The Coastal Stewards’ director of marine life conservation; Kara Portocarrero, rescue and rehabilitation coordinator; and Veterinary Nurse Lauren Hitselberger. Terra and Marina excitedly flapped their flippers as they were carried into the ocean before being gently released, the crowd on the shore applauding and cheering.
Leadership from The Coastal Stewards and the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center were also in attendance. Since 1981, The Coastal Stewards have funded education, research, and sea turtle rehabilitation. In 2023, the group was able to expand its mission to include dolphins, manatees and whales.
Boca Raton has had lots of wins lately when it comes to sea turtles. In February, the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center celebrated the return of their two turtles, Morgan and Lefty, who had temporary stays at Loggerhead Marine life Center and other facilities. This was the result of the nature center receiving a permit to house resident sea turtles.
Last summer, Boca Raton beaches saw a record number of sea turtle nests for the season: 1,325 nests. As sea turtle season is not yet over (that’s Oct. 31) we await the results of this year’s nesting season; you can follow along here.
