Juno Beach Sea Turtle Release Planned Wednesday
A young adult loggerhead sea turtle, is scheduled to be released back to the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. He was named “Squash” by Loggerhead Marinellite Center, in seaside Juno Beach, marine biologists and center employees.
Squash, the turtle, was found floating and incapable of diving below the surface. Sea turtles are air breathing reptiles, they need to surface to breathe. Sea turtles can hold their breath for several hours and depending upon the level of activity, a resting or sleeping turtle can remain underwater for 4-7 hours.
Squash was spotted last November 11, 20’16 floating and unable to dive in the Intracoastal Waterway near Jensen Beach. Florida Fish and Wildlife officers brought the turtle to Loggerhead Marinelife Center for treatment. He was active when he arrived at Loggerhead although unable to submerge, as well as covered in a variety of epibiota (parasites). Bloodwork and other tests helped to determine the cause for the buoyancy.
After several months of rehabilitation, the sea turtle is now healthy and ready to swim back home. The turtles initial weight at rescue was 99.9 lbs. and his current weight is 105 lbs. The release of Squash will be this Wednesday, April 5, 2017 around 11:00 a.m. at Juno Beach. Check the Loggerhead Marinelife Facebook page for details. The release is free and open to the public. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early for the best viewing.
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