ORMOND BEACH, Fla. — Several green sea turtles are making their way home after rehabilitating at multiple facilities.
Eight turtles were rescued off Florida's east coast in March and were exposed to prolonged cold air and water temperatures. They all had low body temperatures and had to overcome medical conditions such as skin infections, pneumonia and other bacterial infections, according to a news release from The Florida Aquarium.
They initially went to the University of Florida's Whitney Lab Sea Turtle Hospital and Volusia Marine Science Center but ended up transferring to The Florida Aquarium for long-term care, along with 22 additional green sea turtles. There, they received supportive care with antibiotics and fully recovered.
Now, the eight turtles are ready to go back into the Atlantic Ocean. Their names are Mel, Pepper, Calico, Tula, Pompano, Phyll, Mo and Mac.
In pictures of Pepper and Calico, you can see their transformations from intake to the present, as they're ready to go home.
Two of the eight sea turtles ready to be released back into the ocean
If you come across a sea turtle that is stranded or dead; a hatchling that is wandering in a road or parking lot; or directions other than the water; or if you see someone disturbing a nest or turtle, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement at 1-888-404-FWCC or *FWC from your cell phone.
