PONCE INLET -- Marine and environmental enthusiasts should make plans to attend the Marine Science Center’s 7th annual Turtle Day from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, April 18.
For seven years, Volusia County’s Marine ScienceCenter, 100 Lighthouse Drive, Ponce Inlet, has cared for thousands of turtles, birds and other marine wildlife. Turtle Day - Turning the Tide will celebrate animal rehabilitation and raise awareness about marine life and the environment, said Michelle Coats, Volusia County spokeswoman.
“Turtle Day is an opportunity for us to celebrate our success in rehabbing nearly 15,000 reptiles since we opened our doors in 2002,” said Michelle Bauer, turtle rehabilitation specialist. “This is a fun and educational event for the public.”
The event offers free admission and includes live music, crafts for children, educational displays by environmental organizations, face painting, food, and the release of seabirds and two sea turtles at 2 p.m. from Winter Haven Park, 4589 S. Atlantic Ave., Ponce Inlet. Seabird and sea turtle releases are subject to change due to animal health or environmental conditions.
The two sea turtles scheduled to be released are:
● A 17-pound juvenile green sea turtle named Mary that was transferred to the center from the National Aquarium, Baltimore. Staff from the National Aquarium will apply a satellite tag to Mary before her release to continue to track and monitor her life patterns for research and data collection.
● An 8-pound juvenile green sea turtle named Oz that was caught on a hook by a man fishing off the beach in Ponce Inlet. Oz had a hook in his right eye and left front flipper and has recovered completely.
Several gulls and pelicans also are scheduled to be released. The seabirds have been recovering at the Mary Keller Seabird Rehabilitation Facility at the MSC which has received more than 5,500 birds since opening in 2004.
As of April 1, the MSC has received and cared for 495 sea turtles; 13,772 hatchlings and washbacks; and 658 miscellaneous reptiles (gopher tortoises, freshwater turtles and a snake), bringing the total number of reptiles received by the Marine Science Center to more than 14,925 since it opened in 2002.
During Turtle Day, visitors can tour the Marine Science Center exhibit gallery all day for free. The gallery features a variety of habitat displays from mangroves and a 5,000-gallon saltwater aquarium. The center will be open until 4 p.m.
The Friends of the Marine Science Center, a group of citizens who support the Marine Science Center with fundraising and volunteering, is co-hosting the event.
For more information about the April 18 Turtle Day, please call the Marine Science Center at (386) 304-5545 or visit www.marinesciencecenter.com.