PONCE INLET — After a little more than a month of rehabilitation at the Marine Science Center turtle hospital, three juvenile green sea turtles made their way back to the sea Wednesday.
One of the turtles was found March 16 entangled in fishing line and floating just inside the mouth of the Ponce de Leon Inlet. The turtle was underweight, dehydrated, lethargic and covered in barnacles and algae, which indicates that it had been debilitated for some time. It was treated with antibiotics, vitamins, anti-parasitic medication and fluids. It made a full recovery and weighed almost 8.5 pounds on its release.
Another of the turtles was found May 12 washing into the docks at a marina inshore in Ponce Inlet. The turtle had a buoyancy issue and was initially unable to dive. It also had an electrolyte imbalance and low blood glucose level that caused it to become lethargic. After being treated with intravenous dextrose and fluids, antibiotics, vitamins and calcium, the turtle's buoyancy returned and it made a speedy recovery, weighing 5 pounds on its release.
The Marine Science Center has treated 86 sea turtles, as well as 51 other reptiles including gopher tortoises, box turtles, freshwater turtles and snakes so far in 2018, according to rehabilitation manager Melissa Ranly.
The Marine Science Center is open to the public at 100 Lighthouse Drive, Ponce Inlet. Visitors may view the turtle hospital and walk through a marine display area and seabird rehabilitation center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.