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Blog & News

Double Sea Turtle Release at Honeymoon Island – Zo and Freesia

Released Animals Updated August 5, 2018 Posted October 11, 2017

Zo

Juvenile, Green (Chelonia mydas)
Zo green sea turtle swimming
Release Date
October 10, 2017
Release Location
Honeymoon Island State Park Beach
Zo green sea turtle release at Honeymoon Island

Zo, a juvenile green sea turtle, was brought to Clearwater Marine Aqurium (CMA) on July 9, 2017. Zo was initially discovered entangled in monofilament fishing line. When stranded sea turtles arrive at CMA they first go through a process called triage. During this process important data and pictures are obtained and Zo received a variety of medication and fluids to boost his system. Rehab and Vet staff also noted a few fibropapilloma (FP) tumors around the base of the flippers.

Zo green sea turtle swimming

Since he was in good body condition, Zo’s treatment was focused on healing the minor injuries from the entanglement and removing the FP tumors as soon as possible. Just a month after admittance Zo underwent the first and only surgery to remove all the FP tumors. Zo quickly turned around after surgery and exhibited normal behavior in just a few days. Zo was cleared by our veterinarian and released at Honeymoon Island State Park on Tuesday, October 10, 2017.


Freesia

Sub-adult, Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)
Freesia loggerhead sea turtle
Release Date
October 10, 2017
Release Location
Honeymoon Island State Park Beach
Freesia sea turtle release at Honeymoon Island

Freesia, a sub-adult loggerhead sea turtle, was brought to Clearwater Marine Aqurium on August 12, 2017. Upon examination it was discovered that Freesia had a fibropapilloma tumor underneath her front flipper. Although the FP virus has been noted on a global scale in every species of sea turtle, a loggerhead with FP is a rare observation for our area. During triage, Freesia received important medications and fluids to boost her system.

Freesia loggerhead sea turtle

Freesia’s overall health allowed us to remove the FP tumor five days after her arrival. Post surgery she was able to graduate to a deeper rehab habitat and picked up eating solid food very quickly. Freesia was cleared by our veterinarian and released at Honeymoon Island State Park on Tuesday, October 10, 2017.

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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.
We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium
249 Windward Passage
Clearwater, FL 33767
727-441-1790
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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.

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