PONCE INLET -- A 250-pound, 5-foot-long loggerhead sea turtle will be released today after being cared for at the Volusia County Marine Science Center and at a Clearwater facility after nearly a year of coordinated care, said Michelle Coats, a spokeswoman.
The adult female loggerhead sea turtle now known as Patti will be released at 11 a.m.. The beachside release will be on the north side of Winter Haven Park, 4589 S. Atlantic Ave.
The turtle was found stranded in Ormond-by-the-Sea on Dec. 1. With the help of the Volusia County’s sea turtle patrol volunteers and the county’s Beach Patrol staff, Patti was brought to the center.
“Patti presented with low heart rate, decreased respiratory rate and an upper respiratory infection,” said Michelle Bauer, MSC’s lead rehabilitation specialist. “Her treatment consisted of fluid therapy, antibiotics and she was tube fed until she ate on her own. With Patti approximately 250 pounds, tube feeding was a challenge for all involved.”
Patti eats nearly five pounds of squid and mackerel a day. In 2007, the east coast experienced a rare red tide, which severely affected sea turtles. In a short time, the MSC received more than 30 sea turtles affected by the red tide. Due to overcrowding, Patti was transferred to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Dec. 13, with the help of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, where she completed her rehabilitation. After almost a year of rehab, Patti was transferred back to MSC earlier this month in preparation for her release.
Coats pointed out that Patti’s rehabilitation specialist from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Tammy Langer, now works with the Marine Science Center.
“I’m thrilled that Michelle and I get to release Patti together,” Langer said. “It takes so much work to rehab an animal of this size. It’s gratifying to be able to release her.”
FAST FACTS:
# The turtle rehabilitation area of the Marine Science Center has received 57 sea turtles, 963 hatchlings and 563 washbacks in 2008.
Since opening, the MSC has received 425 sea turtles, 6,091 hatchlings, 7,469 washbacks and 635 other reptiles totaling more than 14,620 sea turtles and tortoises cared for by the center.
# The Marine Science Center cares for injured sea turtles, freshwater and terrestrial turtles, injured sea birds and non-releasable hawks and owls, wood storks, pelicans, and gulls.
# There also aquariums housing fish, turtles, eels, coral reef inhabitants, snakes, and other creatures at the facility.
# The Marine Science Center offers an innovative learning experience where visitors can discover, enjoy and appreciate the many wonders of marine life in environmentally rich Volusia County. The MSC offers a sea bird and sea turtle rehabilitation viewing area, teaching lab, nature trail and environmental exhibit gallery with guided tours.
#The Marine Science Center, 100 Lighthouse Drive, Ponce Inlet, is open from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday and noon - 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $4 for seniors, $5 for adults, $2 for children 3-12, and free for children under 3. Learn more about this exciting facility and its work by visiting www.marinesciencecenter.com.