Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center Frees Four Rehabilitated Sea Turtles Back Into the Wild

The Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center recently celebrated the successful release of four rehabilitated sea turtle patients on November 17th, 2023 in Perdido Key, Florida.

This event marked a significant milestone for the center following a summer season that saw a record number of turtle intakes.

Among the released sea turtles was “Dakota,” a 200-pound adult male Loggerhead, who was rescued after being accidentally hooked at Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier.

Despite facing significant challenges, including lethargy and anemia, Dakota underwent a three-month rehabilitation process at the C.A.R.E. Center, ultimately making a remarkable recovery and gaining medical clearance for release.

Notably, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has fitted Dakota with a satellite tag to monitor his activity in the Gulf, providing valuable insights into the behavior of male turtles.

Another successful rehabilitation story involved “Lorna,” a 185-pound adult female Loggerhead, who was also accidentally foul-hooked at Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier.

Lorna overcame multiple hook injuries, including fragments in her shoulder region and internal hooks in her esophagus, before being cleared for release after a month-long stay at the C.A.R.E. Center.

Additionally, “Grilled Cheese,” a subadult Loggerhead, and “Butterflake,” another subadult Loggerhead, both faced their own challenges after being accidentally hooked at Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the C.A.R.E. Center’s veterinary staff, including the use of a new scope provided by a grant from the Sea Turtle Conservancy, both Grilled Cheese and Butterflake were successfully rehabilitated and medically cleared for release.

The release of these rehabilitated sea turtles served as a poignant reminder of the importance of conservation efforts and the impact of dedicated rescue and rehabilitation work.

Tabitha Siegfried, the Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center Stranding Coordinator, expressed her enthusiasm for the release, emphasizing the significance of such events in inspiring conservation efforts and highlighting the meaningful impact of the center’s work.

How Many Eggs Does A Sea Turtle Lay?

The giant Asian softshell turtle, box turtle, map turtle, and snapping turtle lay 24 to 70, 8 to 9, 10 to 12, and 20 to 40 eggs, respectively, in a clutch.

Did you know how many eggs a gravid sea turtle lays? Reports indicate that a female sea turtle can lay 40 to 200 eggs in a clutch.

That’s right, sea turtles can lay up to 200 eggs, and in rare cases, the clutch may contain more than 200 eggs.

This makes the clutch size of marine turtles significantly larger compared to aquatic and semi-aquatic turtles.

The clutch size of sea turtle eggs varies by species. With 7 subspecies of sea turtles, each exhibiting distinct physical characteristics, it can sometimes be challenging to identify them.

If you find it confusing to distinguish marine turtles, here’s an easy trick to help you determine the turtle species. Learn more here, How Many Eggs Does A Sea Turtle Lay?