Earlier this morning, we were invited to witness Florida Aquarium Center for Conservation Team release "I", a rehabilitated sea turtle at Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin. Alongside the news team from Channel 8 we watched an endangered Green Sea Turtle return to the sea. "I" came to live at The Florida Aquarium following one of the bitter cold fronts we endured last February. Sea turtles cannot regulate their body temperatures, when the weather turns cold they can easily become hypothermic; unable to move they wash ashore like debris. With plenty of TLC from Aquarium staff, "I" was ready to be released back into the wild, and on World Oceans Day!
'I' Was Released on World Oceans Day to Bring Awareness to this Magnificent Creature
The team left the Aquarium this morning at 9;30 a.m., with "I' carefully stowed away. Making the hour long trek to the release site on a private area of Honeymoon Island at 11:30 a.m. this morning we watched as "I' was set free. Everyone was quiet as he gently glided back into the warm waters of the Gulf. While green sea turtles are still on the endangered list, increased awareness as well as conservancy and protection from local and federal organizations additionally protect this species. But our help is needed too, more about that in a bit. The Florida Aquarium's Center for Conservation combines research and rehabilitation programs to give much needed support to animals like "I'. Aiding distressed marine life and sea animals found to be in imminent danger. They also fight to maintain ecosystems faced with natural and man-made threats.
With little pomp or circumstance, "I" was back in his natural habitat, where it is estimated he can live up to 80 years if given the chance! He will grow big, perhaps over 5 feet in length, and weigh up to 700 pounds, 'greenies' are the largest of the hardshell sea turtles. Oh, and his shell, it's NOT green! Green sea turtles are not named not for the color of their shell, but for the greenish color of their skin. There are two types of green turtles, "I' is an Atlantic green turtle who will warm himself by swimming close to the surface or who may take to land to bask in the sun. Occasionally seen in other parts of the world sunbathing alongside seals and albatrosses, "I" is one of the few marine turtles known to leave the water other than at nesting times.
Who knows where he may go? Green sea turtles can make lengthy migrations swimming at a pace of nearly 35 mph! They mate every two to four years with females producing as many as 200 eggs at one time. Green turtles like "I" are killed for their meat and eggs and suffer death by boat propellers when they surface, they are caught in fishnets and drown, and the destruction of their nesting grounds by humans is an ongoing problem.
It is important we teach our friends, families and children to stay away from nests when we see them on local beaches and to report anyone seen interfering with a turtle or turtle nest. Doing so will ensure future generations the joy we felt watching this unique creature as he swam away!
Thank You to the Florida Aquarium for inviting the MyArea Network team to join you and News Channel 8 for the release. #WorldOceansDay
