Photo for Headline Surfer® / PONCE INLET, Fla. -- Due to rough surf and weather conditions, the release back into the Atlantic waters won't come until Thursday for a 6-pound green sea turtle rehabbing at the Marine Science Center from a partially amputated flipper.
The release of the turtle, named "Francis" was to be today, but because of the rough surf, the turtle's release has been tentatively rescheduled to 3 p.m. Thursday at the Beach Street ramp in Ponce Inlet.
The release, which is dependent on weather and surf conditions, will occur on the north side of the ramp in the no-driving zone.
Francis arrived at the Marine Science Center Sept. 28, after stranding in New Smyrna Beach with an old injury to the back left flipper that left it partially amputated.
“Initially Francis’s digestion was sluggish, but after tube feeding with Pedialyte to help with hydration, he began to digest food properly and eat again,” noted Turtle Rehabilitation Manager Melissa Ranly. “That is when we noticed that he had passed a piece of a plastic wrapper that may have been blocking his digestive tract.”
Francis, the 6-pound green sea turtle, arrived at the Marine Science Center Sept. 28, after stranding in New Smyrna Beach with an old injury to the back left flipper that left it partially amputated.
“Initially Francis’s digestion was sluggish, but after tube feeding with Pedialyte to help with hydration, he began to digest food properly and eat again,” noted Turtle Rehabilitation Manager Melissa Ranly, shown here at left. “That is when we noticed that he had passed a piece of a plastic wrapper that may have been blocking his digestive tract.”
If you want to see Francis being released:
Paid beach parking is available on the south side of the Beach Street ramp in Ponce Inlet. If you have any questions, you can call the Marine Science Center at 386-304-5545.
FAST FACTS: Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet
Since the Marine Science Center opened in 2002, staff has cared for more than 17,000 sea turtles, gopher tortoises, freshwater turtles and snakes.
The Marine Science Center is open to the public at 100 Lighthouse Drive, Ponce Inlet. Visitors may view the turtle hospital and walk through a marine display area and seabird rehabilitation center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. For more information, please visit www.marinesciencecenter.com.