Three Sea Turtles to be Released: Monday, October 17, 3PM, Amelia Island

Squall, an adult female loggerhead sea turtle arrived at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC) onJune 16, 2011.  She was captured by the RV Georgia Bulldog research vessel during routine trawling for sea turtle population estimate and health research purposes.  She was found in waters off Jacksonville, FL.  Her current weight is 169.6 lbs / 77.1 kg.

She had a fresh shark bite to right front flipper, carapace and plastron.  Squall was treated with antibiotics, fluids, and pain management drugs during the first few weeks of the rehabilitation process. Additionally, regular cleaning, flushing and debridement of the wounds were performed throughout her stay at the GSTC.  Squall laid some eggs in her tank during the first part of her rehabilitation.  She did not lay all of her eggs based on xray and ultrasound evaluation, thus oxytocin was used to help her lay the remainder. Squall’s wounds look very good currently, but are not completely healed. Our goal was to give her a jump start in wound healing and we have accomplished that. We feel at this point it is in her best interest to be back in the wild and she should have no trouble finishing the healing process on her own.

The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is conducting a joint project with the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program on the movement patterns of loggerhead sea turtles with missing flippers through satellite telemetry. Squall will be released with a satellite transmitter.

Two green turtles, a juvenile named Duval and a sub-adult named Marti, will also be released.

Directions to the release:

Second exit on I95 South in FL to Fernandina–this is A1A

Follow east for ten miles to Shave Bridge onto Amelia Island

A1A is now 8th Street

Follow to Atlantic Avenue (St. Peters Church is on NE corner)

Turn right and continue to beach and Main Beach parking lot.