After months in rehab, Volusia is back home in the Gulf of Mexico.
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, along with Clearwater Marine Aquarium staff and more than 150 onlookers, said “au revoir” July 14 as the loggerhead sea turtle made its way back to the Gulf of Mexico.
The turtle, Volusia, estimated to be 10 years old, was rescued by boaters May 1 after she was found floating near Anna Maria Island, unable to lift her head to breathe. The boaters called AMITW and the turtle was transported to CMA for rehabilitation.
After treatment to regulate breathing and buoyancy, Volusia was deemed ready to return to the Gulf.
“It was really heartwarming. It’s so surreal to get a chance to see it,” Kathy Doddridge, AMITW volunteer section coordinator at Coquina Beach, said of the turtle’s release.
AMITW executive director Suzi Fox said she was pleased to help return Volusia to her home and hoped the turtle would return to nest in the future.
“Good things are happening,” she said.
— Kristin Swain