beaches of Brevard County are among the world’s most important nesting areas for sea turtles
This little one came into Brevard Zoo’s care in October 2025, after being found stranded in Satellite Beach. Julian had been suffering from several health issues, including pneumonia, gastrointestinal parasites, minor wounds along their carapace (a.k.a. their shell), and osteomyelitis, a serious bone infection that caused their left flipper to swell up.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA –This little one came into Brevard Zoo’s care in October 2025, after being found stranded in Satellite Beach.
As soon as they arrived at East Coast Zoological Foundation’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center, the Brevard Zoo team got straight to work.
They performed a veterinary exam, including bloodwork, weight checks, a physical exam, and more, to gain insight into their condition.
It turned out Julian had been suffering from several health issues, including pneumonia, gastrointestinal parasites, minor wounds along their carapace (a.k.a. their shell), and osteomyelitis, a serious bone infection that caused their left flipper to swell up.
Their initial exam also revealed Julian had low glucose levels, leading to hypoglycemia, and high phosphate levels in their blood, leading to hyperphosphatemia—both of which prevent the turtle’s body from functioning properly.
Julian likes to scratch his carapace against our PVC pipe enrichment in his tank.
It’s safe to say that they knew Julian had a long road to recovery at their Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center.
With close medical care, medication, balanced nutrition, and time to heal, this turtle will be returned to the ocean to perform their unique role in the ecosystem.
Julian received medicine to aid with his internal medical issues while cleaning up external wounds.
“Like many of our sea turtle patients, Julian also received routine raw, unfiltered honey treatments to promote healthy healing. Slowly but surely, Julian is starting to feel better,” said a Brevard Zoo spokesperson.
“Right now, they share a tank with Santa, another green sea turtle patient. The two get along well, but Julian will snag Santa’s food at any chance they get.”
The beaches of Brevard County are among the world’s most important nesting areas for sea turtles and the largest in the United States. A significant number of animals are found with injuries and illnesses annually, and about 100 patients are seen at the Rehabilitation Center.
BREVARD ZOO SEA TURTLE REHABILITATION CENTER
The beaches of Brevard County are among the world’s most important nesting areas for sea turtles and the largest in the United States.
A significant number of animals are found with injuries and illnesses annually, and about 100 patients are seen at the Rehabilitation Center.
East Coast Zoological Foundation opened its Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center at Brevard Zoo in April 2014. The facility includes two separate holding areas with a total of 14 tanks, ranging in diameter from 6 to 12 feet.
This facility is not open to the public.
Patients are brought to the Rehabilitation Center for a variety of reasons—they may be recovering from a boat strike, interaction with human debris such as fishing line or plastic, or general debilitation.
In addition to providing much-needed rest, experienced veterinary staff and dedicated volunteers use a combination of medication, surgeries, and nutrition to nurse the turtles back to health and, ideally, return them to the water.
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