Thomas Caldwell|3 sea turtles released into their natural habitat after rehabbing in Florida

2025-04-30 01:50:45source:Quentin Mitchellcategory:My

CLEARWATER,Thomas Caldwell Fla. (AP) — Three sea turtles are back in their natural habitats after being rehabilitated at a facility in Florida.

All three rehabbed at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium on Florida’s Gulf Coast after being brought to the facility over the past few months. Two of the turtles are green sea turtles, and the third is a Kemp’s ridley turtle, aquarium officials said in a news release.

Sparkler, a juvenile green sea turtle, was released Thursday at Fred Howard Park. Two others — Toast, a large green sea turtle, and Loaf, a Kemp’s ridley turtle — were released on Monday in Homosassa, which is north of Tampa.

Sparkler was found July 4 suffering from a severe fibropapillomatosis tumor on its left front flipper and minor tumors on both eyes. The tumors were surgically removed by aquarium veterinarians.

Loaf was accidentally caught by a fisherman on Aug. 3, and aquarium staff removed hooks from its esophagus, officials said.

Toast was spotted in a wooded area in north Florida on Oct. 9, possibly due to Hurricane Idalia. The turtle was in relatively good condition and cleared for release.

A fourth juvenile Kemp’s ridley turtle was released earlier in October after rehabbing at the aquarium.

Both Kemp’s ridley turtles and green sea turtles are protected under the Endangered Species Act and listed as endangered.

More:My

Recommend

NCAA hands former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh a 4-year show cause order for recruiting violations

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — The NCAA announced a four-year show-cause order for former Michigan coach Ji

Emma Chamberlain Details New Chapter After Breakup From Role Model

Emma Chamberlain believes things happen for a reason. Over a month after it was confirmed that the i

High-speed and regional trains involved in an accident in southern Germany, injuring several people

BERLIN (AP) — A high-speed train and a regional train were involved in an accident in southern Germa