Brevard Zoo Releases Green Sea Turtle ‘Pearl’ in Satellite Beach After Four-Month Rehabilitation
By Space Coast Daily // July 23, 2021
PEARL WAS BROUGHT TO THE ZOO BY SEA TURTLE PRESERVATION SOCIETY IN MARCH
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Following a successful fourth-month rehabilitation stint with Brevard Zoo juvenile green sea turtle Pearl was released in Satellite Beach on Thursday morning.
Pearl was brought to the Zoo by the Sea Turtle Preservation Society on March 13 after being found emaciated, covered in barnacles, and with shell inflammation at Blockhouse Beach.
In addition to providing nutritional support, broad-spectrum antibiotics, cold laser therapy, and honey treatments, Healing Center staff also used medications to resolve a parasitic infection.
Once this patient’s shell had healed and their infection subsided, veterinary staff deemed Pearl ready for release.
All seven of the world’s sea turtle species are threatened by human hunting, entanglement in fishing equipment, marine debris, shrinking beaches, pollution, and climate change.
Individuals who find distressed sea turtles in Brevard County should contact the Sea Turtle Preservation Society at 321-206-0646 or Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC.