Two juvenile green sea turtles are back in the ocean thanks to the rehabilitation efforts of East Coast Zoological Foundation’s (ECZF) Sea Turtle Healing Center at Brevard Zoo.
Cassieopeia and Cheyenne were privately released from Lori Wilson Park to the delight of beachgoers and a group of our incredible Bowen Aquarium Founders.
Cassieopeia came to the Healing Center after being found with general debilitation off of Jetty Park Pier in Port Canaveral. This juvenile green sea turtle was slightly emaciated, with superficial wounds and a moderate number of barnacles on their body. Thanks to rest, medication and nutrition, Cassiopeia recovered fully and was sent back out to the ocean. Cassieopeia was found on June 16, which was leatherback day during World Sea Turtle Week. Cassieopeia was named after a type of jellyfish, a favorite snack of leatherbacks. The Healing Center team will remember this little sea turtle’s love of scratching their shell on enrichment items. “Cassi” received a pool all to themselves and loved to look through the pool’s window to see fellow patients Jiminy Cricket and Tajin next door.
Juvenile green sea turtle Cheyenne was also released after a nearly 2-month stay at the Healing Center. This little turtle was found washed ashore in Cape Canaveral. At first, the team wasn’t sure what had caused Cheyenne to wash ashore. The sea turtle had a state of decreased alertness, but there were no visible physical wounds – only blue paint on their head and body. Unfortunately, the team believes Cheyenne may have been hit by a boat and suffered a traumatic brain injury. Cheyenne started showing more “normal” sea turtle behaviors after being given a diuretic, a medication that increases urine output, in the hopes of helping bring their brain swelling down. Cheyenne made a full recovery as well and is now back in the ocean. Cheyenne was “everyone’s favorite tiny turtle,” according to Healing Center staff, who was thrilled to see her head home after such a short stay.
We can’t wait to build our own sea turtle rehabilitation facility, the Scaife Family Sea Turtle Care Complex, where we will be able to continue the integral work that ECZF’s Sea Turtle Healing Center at Brevard Zoo began over 10 years ago. If you’re interested in helping more sea turtles get the medical attention they need at Bowen Aquarium, you can find multiple ways to support us here.