Robin was returned to the ocean this weekend! (Release photos provided by Cindy Lang.)

On Saturday morning in Indialantic, green sea turtles Robin and Boston were returned to the ocean following successful rehabilitation journeys at the Zoo’s Sea Turtle Healing Center. Each of these turtles “waved” their fins goodbye as they were released to a jubilant crowd at the end of the Sea Turtle Preservation Society’s Turtle Krawl 5K.

Boston spent nearly six months at our Healing Center.

Juvenile green sea turtle Boston arrived at our Healing Center on March 14 after being found stranded in Vero Beach. They were brought to us by Ecological Associates, Inc. with low blood sugar and fibropapillomatosis (FP), a disease that causes tumors to grow inside and outside a sea turtle’s body. Boston had many FP tumors at the time of their arrival, which needed two different surgeries to remove them. This sea turtle responded well to these procedures! After additional care and nutritional support, Boston was deemed ready for release by our sea turtle and veterinary teams.

Robin spent nearly four months in our care.

Robin, another juvenile green sea turtle, came to us on May 14 after being found stranded in Melbourne Beach. This turtle was brought to our care by the Sea Turtle Preservation Society. At the time of their arrival, Robin had a chronic predator injury to their plastron (underside) and carapace (shell) along with some minor FP tumors. Nursing this patient back to health included nutritional support, betadine soaks, Buck Mountain Wound Balm, raw honey for wound debridement and lots of extra care. Thank you to Buck Mountain Botanicals for their donation of wound balm to help in Robin’s care! In August, Robin underwent an FP removal surgery that was deemed successful. Recently, they were marked ready for release!

Where and when a sea turtle is released is based on a variety of factors, including their stranding location, weather, permitting, parking and time of year. All of these factors also determine whether a release is private or open to the public. If a release is open to the public, the Zoo will invite guests via social media channels. We hope you’ll join us for one in the future!

Have you found a sea turtle that needs help? Visit this page or call the Sea Turtle Preservation Society at 321-206-0646.

Want to help the Sea Turtle Healing Center? Support our Zoo, or view our Healing Center’s wishlist.