PONCE INLET -- A 250-pound, 5-foot-long loggerhead sea turtle was released Nov. 26, after being cared for at the Volusia County Marine Science Center and at a Clearwater facility after nearly a year of coordinated care.
The adult female loggerhead sea turtle now known as Patti was released at 11 a.m 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, 2007. 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 ate 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, 2007, 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 weeks in advance of her return to the ocean.