Clearwater, Florida. (September 12, 2025) — Clearwater Marine Aquarium announces the successful release of a juvenile green sea turtle, Walnut. After receiving extensive care from CMA rehabilitation and veterinary teams, Walnut has had a complete transformation from their intake to release.
Walnut was found floating near Madeira Beach on April 18. Upon arrival, Walnut had a very thin body condition at intake examination and a minor load of fibropapilloma tumors present. Their initial treatment plan consisted of antibiotics and fluid therapy. Walnut also had an old injury to their plastron, or bottom shell, that did not heal properly. Due to this, our veterinarians did a procedure to open up the wound for debridement. The rehab staff did daily cold laser treatment on the plastron wound to help promote healing and reduce inflammation.
Once Walnut was at a healthy weight, they also underwent fibropapilloma tumor removal surgery. After Walnut’s surgical sites healed, and they are off antibiotics; they have been cleared for release by our staff veterinarian and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium remains committed to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine life, and the successful return of Walnut to their natural habitats is a testament to the dedication of our animal care teams and partners.
Walnut’s journey is a powerful reminder of the importance of marine conservation and the dedication of the animal care professionals who make second chances possible for endangered species like sea turtles.
CMA guests can learn more about rescued sea turtles and see them onsite during their rehabilitation stays. To learn more about our current rescue patients, please visit https://mission.cmaquarium.org/what-we-do/rescue-rehab-release/current-hospital-patients/.
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Media Contact: Marsha Strickhouser | mstrickhouser@CMAquarium.org | (727) 242-0770
- About Clearwater Marine Aquarium
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working marine rescue center dedicated to inspiring the human spirit through leadership in education, research, rescue, rehabilitation and release. With a mission to preserve the environment and its marine life, CMA is home to rescued dolphins, sea turtles, river otters, stingrays, a nurse shark and more. Through Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, CMA conducts important global research focused on protecting manatees, North Atlantic right whales and sea turtles. Major motion picture Dolphin Tale (2011) and its sequel Dolphin Tale 2 (2014) features the true stories of rescued resident dolphins Winter and Hope, inspiring millions around the world. The mission and potential to change people’s lives differentiates Clearwater Marine Aquarium from any other aquarium in the world.
© 2025 Clearwater Marine Aquarium | 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater, FL 33767 | 727-441-1790 | mission.cmaquarium.org | cmaquarium.org
We believe in preserving our environment while inspiring the human spirit through leadership in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine life; environmental education; research; and conservation.
A Florida non-profit 501(c)(3) organization