Rehabbed sea turtle released at Washington Oaks

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

Tater, a juvenile green sea turtle that was found stranded on Jacksonville Beach at the end of April, was released Tuesday, Nov. 26, into the Intracoastal at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park.

Tater arrived at the Florida Aquarium, in Tampa, lethargic and covered in barnacles. The vet staff believes it was likely because of the prolonged winter, based on other animals suffering from the same type of condition.

But Tater is a unique because, about a week into his rehab, he needed a blood transfusion as a result of a low red blood count. He then needed another transfusion one week later. The donor turtle was The Florida Aquarium’s resident green sea turtle named Flip.

Tater has since fully recovered and when he was escorted into the water Tuesday afternoon, his flippers were ready to go.

"It's great that we have this resource here, 425 acres that's connecterd to the GTM research reserve, which is 72,000 acres of connective estuary," said Melissa Clauson, park services specialist at Washington Oaks. "Being able to release the sea turtles here gives him a great chance back in the wild."