Back To The Sea For A Rehabilitated Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle

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Renny Rehabilitated KempsRidley 060116

Ponce Inlet, FL-A rare and endangered juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle will be returned to the sea on Thursday, weather permitting.  Staff at the Marine Science Center turtle hospital say Renny has made a full recovery, gaining more than two pounds during a two month rehabilitation period.

Renny arrived at the Marine Science Center March 30 after being accidently caught by a local fisherman on the beach in Ponce Inlet.

He had an embedded hook in his tongue that was removed. X-rays revealed another fishing hook further down the esophagus and close to his stomach. That hook was removed without surgery by the veterinarian using an endoscopic procedure.

Following surgery, Renny was given antibiotics to prevent further infection and fluids with dextrose to resolve low glucose levels and given live blue crabs to make sure he could still forage for food.

Staff is planning to release Renny at 2 P.M. tomorrow at the Beach Street ramp in Ponce Inlet. The release is dependent on weather and surf conditions.

(Photo courtesy of Marine Science Center)

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