Gulf World Marine Institute (GWMI) is releasing “Miss Leia”, the loggerhead sea turtle into the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday, June 1st at 9:00 am from the beach access near 6 South Walton Lakeshore Drive in Inlet Beach in South Walton Florida.
*The event timeframe is earlier than the actual release time in order to encourage viewers to arrive early. Once the turtle arrives, the release happens quickly! Ahead of the release, there will be educational information and merchandise sales!
**This will be our first public release since COVID. We ask that everyone be respectful of others, and wear masks if you feel more comfortable doing so. There can be some crowding at these events, so we also ask that you keep with your group and distance from other groups as much as possible.
Miss Leia was rescued from the Russell-Fields City Pier on April 22nd after an accidental hooking in the mouth, as well as entangling line reported around the flipper. Pier staff and PCB Lifeguards safely secured the sea turtle and PC Beach and Surf patrol transported the animal to GWMI’s rehabilitation facility. Thanks to the work of Panama City Beach Turtle Watch member Angela Barros, we knew that Miss Leia had been sighted at the piers before this interaction. After being brought to GWMI for a veterinary exam, including radiographs for an internal look, it was found that Miss Leia had a J hook in the right front flipper as well as a J hook in the back of the mouth. The hook and line gear were removed, and Miss Leia began eating and swimming well in deep water. While Miss Leia came from a hooking incident, he/she also sustained injuries from a boat strike previously. The propeller wounds, running across the carapace (top shell) were already healing when Miss Leia was brought in. After some antibiotics to ensure the healing process was going well, Miss Leia has been medically cleared by GWMI veterinary staff and cleared for release by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The public is invited to attend this event.
GWMI would like to thank Bay County Pier staff, lifeguards, and the Panama City Beach Turtle Watch for their dedicated efforts and partnerships with GWMI. 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.