The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute rescued two sea turtles in need of care earlier this month from Melbourne Beach and Tequesta.
This organization, the research division of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, posted on Facebook on Monday, recounting the recent rescues and providing updates about each of the turtles. It reported that teams had responded to two incidences related to distressed sea turtles in different areas of Florida within the last month.
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At Melbourne Beach, the East Central marine mammal rescue unit assisted the Sea Turtle Preservation Society in helping a female loggerhead sea turtle get back to the ocean. She was found exhausted near a house along A1A after traveling over the dunes and becoming disoriented. Team members were able to carry the turtle back to the shore, where she swam away strongly once reaching the water.
Additionally, in Tequesta, the Southeastern marine mammal rescue team partnered with one of the organization’s sea turtle biologists to rescue a green turtle that could not submerge due to buoyance issues, according to officials. Rescue members were able to capture the turtle using a dipnet and take it to a permitted rehabilitation facility to help it recover and receive treatment.
For more information on sea turtles and how you can help, visit the FWC’s Sea Turtle Program website. Please report any sick, injured or dead turtles to our Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.
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