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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.
Hilda returned to ocean July 23
An adult female loggerhead that was treated by the Volusia County
Marine Science Center (MSC) since May 21 was released back to the
ocean Monday, July 23, in front of an enthusiastic crowd of more
than 100 beachgoers and turtle lovers. The beachside release was on
the north side of Winter Haven Park, 4589 S. Atlantic Ave., Ponce
Inlet.
An extremely lethargic female adult turtle, named Hilda, washed
up in Volusia County the morning of May 21. Rehabilitation
specialists at the MSC thought the loggerhead was a late nester, but
she did not try to return to the ocean the day of the wash up. At
the MSC, rehabbers found the turtle had an intestinal impaction, was
hypoglycemic and anemic, and rehabbed it with fluid treatment,
antibiotics and other medications, according to MSC's Michelle
Bauer. The loggerhead weighed 215 pounds upon release.
