A young green sea turtle – tired and covered in barnacles – had trouble staying under water so she wandered aimlessly though Long Point County Park in Melbourne Beach.
But in April, a good Samaritan spotted her and she was taken to the Brevard Zoo’s Sea Turtle Healing Center.
On July 10, after nearly four months of treatment, she was released back into the wild.
And this young turtle who was once all on her own inspired hundreds to gather at Bonsteel Park in Melbourne Beach. They all came to cheer on a turtle who now had a name – Kona.
Shagg Catri, the wife of surfing legend Dick Catri and a trained volunteer with the Sea Turtle Preservation Society (STPS), released her back into the water, where she disappeared within seconds into the calm seas.
Because Brevard County is home to some of the world’s most significant sea turtle nesting sites, scientists and conservationists wanted to be prepared for those that fall ill or suffer an injury, but originally the nearest rehabilitation facility was more than 100 miles away. So, in 2014, the STPS partnered with the Brevard Zoo to establish the Sea Turtle Healing Center, a 2,400-square-foot facility with 12 turtle rehabilitation tanks.
According to Shanon Gann, who heads the center, Kona was covered in epibiota when she first arrived.
“When referring to sea turtles, epibiota is the growth of marine organisms such as barnacles, leeches and/or algae on the body,” Gann said. “The amount of epibiota growth on a sea turtles carapace (top shell) or soft tissues can reflect how long the sea turtle has been ill enough to be slow-moving in the water. Epibiota can make sea turtles less hydrodynamic.”
Some of the center’s patients are ill – others have been hit by boats or caught in plastic or fishing lines. Whatever the reason for their stay, they receive rest, medication, treatment, nutrition – and sometimes surgery – to help them heal.
“Sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation and release is a partnership with many organizations throughout the Sea Turtle Stranding Network,” Gann said. “Barrier Island Center (BIC) is a designated drop-off location for hatchling and washback sea turtles. In addition, during the summer, BIC provides educational sea turtle walks where the public can see a loggerhead sea turtle lay her eggs.”
As for Kona’s future, Gann says it depends a lot on whether humans become better stewards of the waterways and beaches.
“We are so happy to share a sea turtle release with the community. For some people, this will be the closest they will ever get to a threatened sea turtle in their lifetime,” Gann said. “Some of the messages we like to share are keep beaches clean, refuse single-use plastics, follow boating regulations and have a lookout posted on the vessel for wildlife in the water.”
Anyone who finds a sea turtle in need of help is encouraged to call STPS at 321-206-0646 or the FWC 1-888-404-3922.