Clearwater Marine Aquarium Releases Three Rehabilitated Sea Turtles into Wild

Sea Turtles, Two Green and One Kemp's Ridley, Rehabilitated for Tumor Removal and Hook Extraction, Released Back to Natural Habitat after Months at Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

• Two green sea turtles and one Kemp's Ridley sea turtle, all rehabilitated at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium on Florida's Gulf Coast, have been successfully released back into the wild.
• One of the green sea turtles, named Sparkler, was found on July 4 suffering from a severe fibropapillomatosis tumor on its left front flipper and minor tumors on both eyes, all of which were surgically removed by aquarium veterinarians.
• The Kemp's Ridley sea turtle, named Loaf, was accidentally caught by a fisherman on August 3, requiring the removal of hooks from its esophagus by aquarium staff.
• The second green sea turtle, named Toast, was found in a wooded area in north Florida on October 9, likely due to Hurricane Idalia; the turtle, however, was in relatively good condition and was therefore cleared for release.
• Both the green and Kemp's Ridley sea turtles are protected under the Endangered Species Act and listed as endangered, making the successful rehabilitation and release of these three individuals crucial for the species.

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