Healthy turtles head back home

JUNO BEACH, Fla. - An incredible sight, Saturday morning at Juno Beach, as two sea turtles returned to the waters after months of rehab at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center of Juno Beach.

Staff Veterinarian, Nancy Mettee cleared sea turtle patients, Radley and Viking for release after conducting a final examination and reporting her assessment and recommendation to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Sea turtle Radley was outfitted with a satellite transmitter that will track the turtle's travels for the next year or so, thanks to a generous donation from the Schulz family, long-time supporters of LMC.

The tag is a Wildlife Computers MK10 AFB that will measure GPS location, as well as water temperature. Radley's voyage will be able to be tracked at www.marinelife.org

Radley is a sub-adult loggerhead sea turtle that arrived at LMC on April 6, 2010 from the Port St. Lucie Power Plant as a result of visible head injuries and infection. The turtle was slightly underweight and anemic and had a moderate amount of barnacles and algae on the carapace. The wounds were treated topically and Radley received antibiotics, vitamins and nutritional therapy and is now ready for release.

Viking was found floating in a lethargic state in the Viking Yacht Club in Riviera Beach, on March 31, 2010. The turtle had been hanging around the marina between boat slips for several days, and was captured and brought to the Center. Viking was covered in barnacles with a heavy leech infestation. The turtle was also missing the right rear flipper due to an existing unknown injury. Viking's treatment plan included antibiotics and nutritional therapy before being cleared for release.