Featured Image Credit: GULF WORLD MARINE INSTITUTE
This past summer, a green sea turtle was successfully released into the Gulf of Mexico. Paddy is a juvenile green sea turtle that was rescued in March 2018. The rescue happened near the southside of St. Joe Beach. A member of the Gulf County and East Bay Sea Turtle Patrol completed the rescue after determining that Paddy was not okay.
Paddy had several problems, including a compression fracture and mild swelling around her left eye. It was never determined what caused the fracture, but the injury was affecting Paddy’s ability to survive.
When she was brought into the Gulf World Marine Institute, she underwent a full medical evaluation and treatment began. At the beginning of the process, she was not eating without help. Her low weight concerned the staff, but over time she began to swim and eat on her own. With that progress, her weight slowly returned to normal levels.
In July, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission cleared Paddy for release. Once all of the checks had been passed, she was released back into the wild. The team released her at Port St. Joe, directly across from the Lookout Lounge. Hopefully Paddy is enjoying her new life in the ocean.
Learn more from the source.