WATCH: Rehabbed Loggerhead Turtle Released Near Howard E. Futch Memorial Park in Melbourne

Cared for by the Sea Turtle Healing Center at the Brevard Zoo

WATCH: After 16 months of rehabilitation by the Sea Turtle Healing Center at the Brevard Zoo, Mischief, a 140-pound loggerhead turtle, was released into the ocean at Howard Futch Park in Melbourne.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – After 16 months of rehabilitation by the Sea Turtle Healing Center at the Brevard Zoo, Mischief, a 140-pound loggerhead turtle, was released into the ocean at Howard E. Futch Memorial Park in Melbourne.

I, along with hundreds of spectators, had the opportunity to watch Mischief crawl into the water as the waves crashed over his body.

After the release, I spoke with Jess Patterson, the coordinator of the Sea Turtle Healing Center.

Mischief was found in October 2023, wrapped up in a crab pot.

Patterson told me, “The first few days were crucial.” One of the lines on the crab pot had cut off circulation to one of Mischiefs’ limbs. The limb needed to be amputated as soon as he came in.

WATCH: Jess Patterson, Coordinator of the Sea Turtle Healing Center, talked with the Friday Night Locker Room’s Steve Wilson after Mischief was released. Patterson said about the 140-pound loggerhead turtle’s release, “Mischief is now home.”

Patterson said, “We removed the limb and made sure the remaining tissue was nice and healthy for quality rehabilitation.”

Because Mischief only had one flipper, he needed a little help from those that got to know him so well at the Sea Turtle Healing Center. He was obviously well cared for. And as Patterson put it, “Mischief is now home.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia.  He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.

Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018,  Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey.

Wilson is especially proud of his chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.

He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 25 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.

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