Vero Beach, FL. (06/14/2021) — World Sea Turtle Day is June 16 and serves as a day of international significance to honor and highlight the world’s sea turtles and their importance to our oceans and coastal habitats. This day is celebrated on Dr. Archie Carr’s birthday, the person remembered in history as the Father of sea turtle conservation. There is no better way to honor this day than by the presentation of a sea turtle recovery story.
The story of Turtsiops is short and one of a kind. This very small juvenile green turtle was found in the wrackline by Indian River County Coastal Staff while on their daily morning sea turtle nesting survey. This turtle had very unique scraps and shell damage indicating a predator interaction. Following the initial report, Coastal Connections (CCinc) permitted volunteers transported this turtle to the Brevard Zoo’s Sea Turtle Healing Center. The intake evaluation identified scoliosis and a few weeks after intake the flippers became necrotic. Healing Center staff prescribed new antibiotics to kill off the infection and in time Turtsiops’ treatments began showing signs of healing. After two months, this small and energetic patient has been deemed ready for its return home to the nearshore reefs of Vero Beach.
With help from the Sea Turtle Preservation Society on June 16th, Turtsiops will be transported back down to Vero Beach for a grand World Sea Turtle Day send off with Coastal Connections and Indian River County’s Sea Turtle Environmental Specialist at South Beach Park beginning at 3pm. CCinc invites you, your friends and your family to be a part of this turtle’s recovery story and to wish Turtsiops well. The release will include a short educational presentation to share Turtsiops’ story and ways each and every person can be a part of a sea turtle’s success story.
PUBLIC EVENT DETAILS
DATE: June 16th, 2021
TIME: 3:00 pm
LOCATION: South Beach Park, Vero Beach, FL
RESERVATION: None Required
COVID Update: We ask that everyone follow the CDC’s most recent guidelines for COVID and be respectful of your space and the space of others around you during the event.
Coastal Connections, Inc., is a Vero Beach 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2017 whose mission is to protect coastal habitats and help sea turtles recover by educating and connecting people to the environment. We focus on offering interactive and immersive experiences to help you create a connection with wildlife and ultimately incorporate conservation minded behavior changes into your daily life. To support this event or CCinc’s mission please contact Founding Director Kendra Cope at kendra@coastal-connections.org.
Coastal Connections, Inc.
