Rehabbed Green Sea Turtles Released In Ponce Inlet

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Ponce Inlet, FL - Three juvenile green sea turtles found near death earlier this year are back in Mother Nature's hands. Ixora, Ulmus and Nyssa (pictured above) were released late this morning from the Beach Street ramp in Ponce Inlet, a short walk from the Marine Science Center turtle hospital where both had been recuperating for some time. Volusia County spokesperson Shelley Szafraniec tells us the release, as usual, was done in a no-driving section of the beach. "The Marine Science Center has treated 86 sea turtles, as well as 51 other reptiles - including gopher tortoises, box turtles, freshwater turtles and snakes - already in 2018," Szafraniec noted. Ixora washed into a inshore marina dock in Ponce Inlet on May 12th, where it was discovered. According to Szafraniec, Ixora had a problem with buoyancy and couldn't dive when first admitted, but she's now weighing a healthy five pounds. "The turtle also had an electrolyte imbalance and low blood glucose level that caused it to become lethargic," Szafraniec added. "Ixora was treated with intravenous dextrose and fluids, antibiotics, vitamins and calcium. The buoyancy quickly resolved and, under its medical plan, the turtle was able to make a speedy recovery." Ulmus was covered in fishing line when found floating just inside the mouth of Ponce de Leon Inlet on March 16th. He's now fully recovered and weighing in at 8.5 pounds, per Szafraniec. "The turtle was underweight, dehydrated, lethargic and covered in barnacles and algae, which indicates that it had been debilitated for some time," Szafraniec stated. "Ulmus was treated with antibiotics, vitamins, anti-parasitic medication and fluids." Nyssa - who had been at the hospital since January due to an intestinal blockage - was a last-second addition after she was cleared by MSC doctors just before the release party. Photos are courtesy of Volusia County.

Ixora (after & before)

Ulmus (after & before)