• Skip to main content

Celebrating 50 Years of CMA! Learn about our history.

  • Rescue Map
  • Careers
    • Job Opportunities
    • Internships
  • Visit CMA
    • Visit Info
    • Tickets
    • Experience
    • Plan An Event
    • Learn
    • Webcams
  • News
    • Press Releases
    • Manatee UME
    • 2021-2022 Right Whale Calving Season
    • Sea Turtle Patients
    • Sea Turtle Releases
    • Rescue Stories
Clearwater Marine Aquarium Logo

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

  • What We Do
    • Rescue, Rehab, Release
    • Animal Care
    • Conservation & Research
    • Inspire The Human Spirit
  • Get Involved
    • Ways to Give
    • Protect the Nest
    • Save a Seat
    • Membership
    • Adoptions
    • Marine Life Rescue Project
    • Volunteer
    • Careers & Internships
  • Research Institute
    • Manatee Research
    • Right Whale Research
    • Expeditions
    • Project Partners
    • Meet Our Researchers
  • Education & Resources
    • Educational Resources
    • Off-Site Programs
    • Education Station
    • Virtual Backgrounds
    • Report An Animal
  • About
    • Corporate Partnerships
    • Board of Directors
    • Executive Leadership
    • Contact Us
    • Financial Reports
    • Press & News
  • Donate
Blog & News

Double Sea Turtle Release – Falcon and Flash

Released Animals Updated July 9, 2019 Posted March 2, 2016

sea turtle release

Falcon

Juvenile, Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Release Date
March 2, 2016

Falcon, a juvenile green sea turtle, was found floating in the Gulf of Mexico near the Sand Key Park area of Clearwater on January 30, 2016 by some good Samaritans. Falcon came to CMA with a mild form of fibropapillomatosis (with only a few tumors on the base of the rear flippers), and mild dehydration. Falcon also had a cold body temperature, making her a part of Operation Cold Stun.

Falcon bounced back quickly though, after being given some fluids, vitamins and antibiotics.  Initial triage also included an X-ray, to ensure Falcon did not ingest any foreign objects.  Falcon’s X-ray was clear, so she was offered swim time, and while she floated initially, she was deemed capable of handling deep water all the time and was found resting on the bottom of her habitat within days.  We offered food to her on her third day of rehabilitation and she ate on her own right away!  We have been steadily increasing her diet ever since.

Our resident veterinarian, Dr. Shelly Marquardt, has been pleased with her steady improvement in health and behavior and on February 25, 2016, cleared Falcon for release. Falcon will be flying high when she is released, so wish her blue skies and clam waters as she goes home!


Flash

Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii)
Release Date
March 2, 2016

Flash, a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, was found on June 23, 2015, five miles offshore of Hernando Beach.  Flash had a fishing hook caught in his mouth, which was connected to a four-foot-long fishing pole.  After hook removal surgery and months of regular wound care, Flash has made a full recovery and was cleared for release.


Watch the double sea turtle release video:

Previous Post: Green Sea Turtle Release – Xiphosura
Next Post: Green Sea Turtle Release – Wahoo
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
249 Windward Passage
Clearwater, FL 33767
727-441-1790

Sign up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe

Shop • Careers & Internships • Contact


Visit Us

Buy Tickets • Watch Webcams • Camps • Upcoming Events


© 2022 Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Privacy Policy • Terms & Conditions • Accessibility

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM, A FL-BASED NONPROFIT CORPORATION (REGISTRATION NO. CH352), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE OR BY VISITING www.800helpfla.com. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Federal Tax ID#: 59-2086737.

  • What We Do
  • Get Involved
  • Research Institute
  • Education & Resources
  • About
  • Visit CMA
  • Membership
  • Careers
  • Donate
  • Blog & News
  • Rescue Map