Gulf World Marine Institute (GWMI) is releasing 2 subadult sea turtles back into the Gulf of Mexico Wednesday morning, February 26th, 2025 at 8:15 AM from 438 W Park Place Avenue, Inlet Beach, Florida.
The event is expected to begin at 8:30AM. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early.
Location:
438 W Park Place Ave.
Inlet Beach, FL 32461
Gulf World Marine Institute is very grateful to those involved in the rescue and transport of these sea turtles. Both turtles have been medically cleared by veterinary staff and have been cleared for release by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The public is invited to attend this event. Please keep in mind this event is subject to change based on weather conditions.
Firstly, “Sea Pork”, a sub-adult green sea turtle, was found struggling at the surface of the water south of the Panama City Marina on May 29th. This turtle had a heavy load of epibiota which are biological organisms like barnacles, sea squirts, crabs, worms, etc., and suffered from buoyancy control issues, and was listing at the surface.
Sea Pork also had evidence of blunt force trauma on the carapace that had some bone exposure. He/she also has fibropapillomatosis “FP”, an infectious herpes type virus. “FP” has been found in all seven species of sea turtles but is found most commonly in greens. Tumors may form but can sometimes be removed depending on the severity and location.
After epibiota removal, Sea Pork received fluids, antibiotics, vitamins and wound treatment with honey and silver to encourage healing. Sea Pork’s beautiful carapace is now starting to reveal itself!
The second sea turtle being released is “Ram Bam”, a sub-adult Kemp’s ridley sea turtle. Ram Bam was seen struggling at the surface of the water west of Russell-Fields City Pier in Panama City Beach on September 20th. He/she was tracked and rescued by Panama City Beach Turtle Watch and PCB lifeguards.
Ram Bam was entangled with fishing gear and had a healed wound on the carapace. Ram Bam also has fibropapillomatosis “FP.”
After a tumor removal along with fluids, antibiotics and vitamins with a goal of increasing appetite, we’re happy to announce a full recovery for Ram Bam as Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are critically endangered.
We would like to thank the PCB Turtle Watch and PCB lifeguards for their assistance in rescuing Ram Bam.
GWMI would like to thank everyone involved in the rescue of stranded sea turtles. If you see a stranded or deceased dolphin, whale or sea turtle, please immediately report to Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, 1-888-404-3922 or #FWC on your cell phone.
The event is expected to begin at 8:30AM. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early.
Location:
438 W Park Place Ave.
Inlet Beach, FL 32461
Gulf World Marine Institute is very grateful to those involved in the rescue and transport of these sea turtles. Both turtles have been medically cleared by veterinary staff and have been cleared for release by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The public is invited to attend this event. Please keep in mind this event is subject to change based on weather conditions.
Firstly, “Sea Pork”, a sub-adult green sea turtle, was found struggling at the surface of the water south of the Panama City Marina on May 29th. This turtle had a heavy load of epibiota which are biological organisms like barnacles, sea squirts, crabs, worms, etc., and suffered from buoyancy control issues, and was listing at the surface.
Sea Pork also had evidence of blunt force trauma on the carapace that had some bone exposure. He/she also has fibropapillomatosis “FP”, an infectious herpes type virus. “FP” has been found in all seven species of sea turtles but is found most commonly in greens. Tumors may form but can sometimes be removed depending on the severity and location.
After epibiota removal, Sea Pork received fluids, antibiotics, vitamins and wound treatment with honey and silver to encourage healing. Sea Pork’s beautiful carapace is now starting to reveal itself!
The second sea turtle being released is “Ram Bam”, a sub-adult Kemp’s ridley sea turtle. Ram Bam was seen struggling at the surface of the water west of Russell-Fields City Pier in Panama City Beach on September 20th. He/she was tracked and rescued by Panama City Beach Turtle Watch and PCB lifeguards.
Ram Bam was entangled with fishing gear and had a healed wound on the carapace. Ram Bam also has fibropapillomatosis “FP.”
After a tumor removal along with fluids, antibiotics and vitamins with a goal of increasing appetite, we’re happy to announce a full recovery for Ram Bam as Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are critically endangered.
We would like to thank the PCB Turtle Watch and PCB lifeguards for their assistance in rescuing Ram Bam.
GWMI would like to thank everyone involved in the rescue of stranded sea turtles. If you see a stranded or deceased dolphin, whale or sea turtle, please immediately report to Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, 1-888-404-3922 or #FWC on your cell phone.