Green sea turtle released at Honeymoon Island on April 13, 2023.
Big Bend
On Thursday, April 13, Clearwater Marine Aquarium released a green sea turtle, Big Bend, back into the wild on Honeymoon Island State Park after almost two months of rehabilitation.
Big Bend, a subadult green sea turtle, was found floating offshore Lee County in Fort Myers on Feb. 23. At 43 pounds, he was underweight, buoyant and had fibropapilloma tumors. Fibropapilloma can affect any part of the sea turtle and in severe cases can impact their ability to swim and find food.
Sea turtles requiring rehabilitation in Lee county are usually sent to partners at Mote Marine Lab & Aquarium, but due to limited space, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) asked CMA to assist with rehabilitation.
After a course of antibiotics and a healthy diet, Big Bend started to gain weight and the buoyancy resolved. Big Bend was cleared for release by CMA’s veterinarian and FWC.
All marine turtle footage taken in Florida was obtained with the approval of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) under conditions not harmful to marine turtles. Footage was acquired while conducting authorized conservation activities pursuant to FWC MTP-21/22-172A.