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The story of La Caretta Grande
Thousands of rehabbed washbacks released by
MSC staff
Here’s your opportunity to aid in the
rehabilitation of an endangered or threatened species!
Sea Turtle Rehabilitation
In 2007, the Marine Science Center
received and cared for nearly 6,000 washback sea turtles, 422
hatchlings and 83 seaturtles ranging from juvenile green turtles to
adult loggerheads. More than 150 other reptiles, including gopher
tortioises, freshwater turtles and snakes, have been treated there,
too.
One of the main goals of the Marine
Science Center is sea turtle rehabilitation. Guests can overlook
seven turtle hospital pools from the Turtle Terrace, located in
front of the main facility. These pools house sick and injured sea
turtles, hatchlings, and washbacks under rehabilitation. The
rehabilitating hatchlings, wash backs (newly hatched baby sea
turtles that are washed back to shore by rough seas) and sea turtles
are released upon full recovery. The MSC turtle rehabilitation area
also includes care and treatment of freshwater turtles and land
tortoises.
'Old Boots' returned to ocean April 19
Old Boots,
a 175-pound rehabilitated loggerhead sea turtle who received his
name from the English idiom that someone who is “tough as old boots”
is strong and resilient, was brought to the Marine Science Center in November after
suffering from the effects of red tide. After determining that he
had anemia, low blood sugar and an intestinal impaction,
rehabilitation specialists treated him with antibiotics, fluid
therapy and medications. After almost two months of tube feedings in
the center’s turtle hospital, Old Boots started eating well on his
own and has put on almost 20 pounds.
On April 19, 2008, Turtle Day 2008 culminated with the release of
Old Boots and a seabird
returning to their natural habitats at Winter Haven Park,
Ponce Inlet.
