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Blog & News

Green Sea Turtles Released After Recovering From Injuries

Releases Released Animals Posted December 9, 2020

Clearwater Marine Aquarium released Crunch and Lemonhead, two juvenile green sea turtles, on Tuesday, December 8, 2020.

Crunch’s Story

On August 6, 2020, Crunch was found in the Crystal River area with a boat strike injury to his carapace (shell). Routine wound care was performed over the past few months to encourage his carapace to heal properly. He was one of the smallest patients we cared for this year, weighing a little over 2 lbs at intake!

Crunch’s injury healed and he was deemed healthy and cleared for release by our veterinarian and FWC.

green sea turtle being released

Lemonhead’s Story

On October 20, 2020, Lemonhead was found entangled in a braided fishing line near Hudson, in Pasco County. The line was wrapped around her right front flipper and caused a minor injury. She had also ingested the line which can cause serious gastrointestinal issues if not removed. Our vet team successfully removed the line after X-rays confirmed there was no hook.

It’s important to always properly dispose of your fishing gear!
fishing line Lemonhead was entangled with
Fishing line removed from Lemonhead.

Lemonhead’s flipper injury healed and she was deemed healthy enough to be released! Her release was cleared by our veterinarian and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

green sea turtle being released

On December 8, Crunch and Lemonhead were released at Fred Howard Park. We wish them both well as they swim back 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-19-172.

Previous Post: First Two Right Whale Calves Sighted off Georgia and Florida Coast
Next Post: Critically Endangered Kemp’s Ridley Released
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
249 Windward Passage
Clearwater, FL 33767
727-441-1790

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