Gulf World Marine Institute Releasing Loggerhead Sea Turtle!
Gulf World Marine Institute (GWMI) is releasing “Chuckles”, a subadult loggerhead sea turtle back into the Gulf of
Mexico Thursday morning, May 23, 2024, at 8:30 AM from 438 W Park Place Avenue, Inlet Beach, Florida. Chuckles
was brought into rehabilitation at GWMI after being accidentally hooked by a recreational fisherman at the M.B. Miller
County Pier. Chuckles was hooked in the evening on May 3, and the fisherman contacted the pier management, who
then contacted Panama City Beach Turtle Watch to assist with the rescue. Chuckles was safely brought to GWMI for
medical assessment, where it was found that he/she had not one, but three hook interactions! One flipper hook was
easily removed from the right front flipper, and one hook in the mouth was easily removed. The third hook, which
Chuckles caught during the incident that brought him into rehab, was deep into the stomach and would be risky to
remove surgically. Instead, the team decided to try feeding Chuckles cotton balls, which aid in gently removing the gear
with less risk to the sea turtle. Thankfully, Chuckles continued to eat well while in rehab, and the cotton balls helped to
push the remaining hook out of his/her system! Chuckles is now hook free, and has been given medical clearance for
release!
Chuckles was named by Sunset Eagle Aviation, a sponsor of the 2024 Making Turtle Tracks 5K Fundraiser!
Gulf World Marine Institute is very grateful to Chuckle’s rescuers, including the M.B. Miller County Pier staff, the
fisherman, and Panama City Beach Turtle Watch for assisting in the rescues and transports! Chuckles has been medically
cleared by veterinary staff and has 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.
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.
Gulf World Marine Institute (GWMI) is releasing “Chuckles”, a subadult loggerhead sea turtle back into the Gulf of
Mexico Thursday morning, May 23, 2024, at 8:30 AM from 438 W Park Place Avenue, Inlet Beach, Florida. Chuckles
was brought into rehabilitation at GWMI after being accidentally hooked by a recreational fisherman at the M.B. Miller
County Pier. Chuckles was hooked in the evening on May 3, and the fisherman contacted the pier management, who
then contacted Panama City Beach Turtle Watch to assist with the rescue. Chuckles was safely brought to GWMI for
medical assessment, where it was found that he/she had not one, but three hook interactions! One flipper hook was
easily removed from the right front flipper, and one hook in the mouth was easily removed. The third hook, which
Chuckles caught during the incident that brought him into rehab, was deep into the stomach and would be risky to
remove surgically. Instead, the team decided to try feeding Chuckles cotton balls, which aid in gently removing the gear
with less risk to the sea turtle. Thankfully, Chuckles continued to eat well while in rehab, and the cotton balls helped to
push the remaining hook out of his/her system! Chuckles is now hook free, and has been given medical clearance for
release!
Chuckles was named by Sunset Eagle Aviation, a sponsor of the 2024 Making Turtle Tracks 5K Fundraiser!
Gulf World Marine Institute is very grateful to Chuckle’s rescuers, including the M.B. Miller County Pier staff, the
fisherman, and Panama City Beach Turtle Watch for assisting in the rescues and transports! Chuckles has been medically
cleared by veterinary staff and has 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.
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.
