A first look at the ocean!

After nearly 4 months of care from our Sea Turtle Healing Center, it was Clover the juvenile green sea turtle’s lucky day! They were recently returned to the ocean.  

Clover was rescued on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, inspiring their name. Clover came to us after nearby boaters saw Clover struggling to dive and looking stressed near Port Canaveral. The Sea Turtle Preservation Society picked Clover up from the boaters and brought them to the Healing Center. Clover was buoyant and lethargic, and we found air in their coelomic, or main body, cavity through an x-ray.  

Bon voyage, Clover!

Since Clover didn’t have any external wounds, our Healing Center team believed this turtle might have a tear in their lung that was leaking air into their body cavity. A CT scan showed a bullae, or fluid-filled sac, in the lung. Our veterinary team made a catheter with a one-way valve and placed it into the coelomic cavity like a chest tube, to release extra air. This prevented pressure from pushing on the lungs and organs.  

While we don’t know what caused the lung bullae, we were able to help Clover heal with some time and care. A crowd wished them well as we released Clover at Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach on Tuesday, July 5.  

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.