- April 19, 2024
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It was another successful sea turtle release that took place on Tuesday, Nov 28, when Hendrix, a juvenile green sea turtle, returned to the ocean thanks to Ponce Inlet’s Marine Science Center.
Hendrix had become stranded at the New Smyrna Dunes Park on Saturday, Oct. 14, and was lethargic and buoyant due to a sluggish digestive system and gas in his intestines, according to Port Orange resident Melissa Ranly, manager of turtle rehabilitation.
The turtle also had an old injury on the right side of his shell, which had healed.
Hendrix began eating and digesting normally after he was hydrated and his immune system was functioning properly. At the time of release, Hendrix weighed 5.7 pounds.
“We are pleased with the quick recovery and excited to get Hendrix back out in the ocean,” Ranly said in a release.
According to the county, 634 Loggerhead nests were counted this year. The most Loggerhead nests recorded in Volusia was in 2012 when 885 were found. For green sea turtles, a new record was set this year with 82 nests. The previous record was 55 nests in 2013 and 2007.
In August, a male loggerhead sea turtle, named Xanadu, was released back into the Atlantic Ocean. Another sea turtle, Whitney, had previously been released on Friday, July 7, after her stay of almost three months at the Science Center.
