Gulf World Marine Institute released two kemps ridley sea turtles and one green sea turtle into the Gulf of Mexico on April 13, 2016. The turtles were released at Inlet Beach. The turtles successfully completed recent rehabilitation.
Eve, a kemps ridley sea turtle, was found stranded in Rosemary Beach in December. It had a severe case of pneumonia, suffered from low blood sugar and was very lethargic. It was treated with antibiotics and has recovered well. Bonito, another kemps ridley sea turtle, came to Gulf World in February after stranding at the west end of Panama City Beach. The turtle suffered from pneumonia and was lethargic and treated with antibiotics. Collins, a green sea turtle stranded in February at Deer Lake State Park. The turtle suffered from a ruptured abscess on its front flipper and a case of pneumonia. It was treated with antibiotics and topical ointment. The sea turtle healed extremely fast and is eating well.
The green sea turtle population has just been reclassified from endangered to threatened. After being on the endangered list for nearly four decades.
Gulf World Marine Institute is a division of Gulf World in Panama City Beach. For more information, go to gulfworldmarinepark.com.