Kemp ridley’s sea turtle released in Clearwater on July 20, 2023.
Focaccia
On Thursday, July 20, Clearwater Marine Aquarium released a Kemp ridley’s sea turtle, Focaccia, back into the wild in Clearwater after almost a month of rehabilitation.
Focaccia is a sub-adult Kemp’s ridley sea turtle who was found near Sand Key Beach, FL on June 20th. Upon intake, Focaccia was displaying neurological symptoms which could indicate red tide exposure. She was immediately placed on a treatment plan of fluids and IV fat solution that could clear the toxin out of her system.
A lab analysis conducted by FWRI confirmed brevotoxin in Focaccia’s blood samples. Focaccia recovered quickly and was cleared for release by our veterinarian and Florida Fish and Wildlife and returned home!
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-23/24-172A.