It’s just a day in the life for staff at the Brevard Zoo Sea Turtle Healing Center.
The center is dedicated to looking after injured or sick sea turtles and is located close to one of the most important and most populated turtle nesting sites in the world.
Bubba the loggerhead
Bubba is a 375lb loggerhead turtle who was found with injuries in April.
He was a very sick turtle who had been attacked by a predator and was also suffering with an infestation of marine leeches which had given him anemia.
Tender Loving Care
Bubba was lovingly nursed back to health by staff at the healing center.
He was given antibiotics, regular wound cleaning, laser therapy for his injuries and fresh water baths to help clear out the parasites.
A Special Turtle
Bubba won a special place in the hearts of the staff who treated him.
Shanon Gann, the manager of the center posted on Facebook “He is an old, gentle soul. We are blessed to be a part of his journey.”
Joyful Return
It was with great joy that Bubba was able to return home last week.
His healing journey complete, he was taken to Cocoa Beach where he was released back into the sea.
Loyal Supporters
His homecoming was accompanied by a crowd of well wishers who cheered him on.
There was even a little girl with a sign that read “Bubba, you can do it!”
A Very Old Turtle
Bubba is a very old turtle, estimated at 60 – 75 years old.
He is probably a great grandfather. He is the largest turtle ever treated at the center and it took a team of seven people to rescue him and bring him in when he was found.
Seat Turtle Healing Center
The Sea Turtle Healing Center at Brevard Zoo was opened in 2014 in partnership with the Sea Turtle Preservation Society.
It treats around 100 patients a year and the goal is always to restore them to health and release them back into the sea.
Special Unit for FP Turtles
The healing center includes a special unit for FP positive turtles.
Fibropapilloma virus is a contagious disease which causes tumours to grow on a turtle’s body. There are only a small number of centers in the world where this disease can be treated because of its contagious nature.
Ancient Species in Decline
Turtles are an ancient species, millions of years old and they fulfil a critical role in the balance of marine life.
Turtle numbers across the world are in decline from rising plastics in the ocean, over fishing, habitat destruction and more. It is to be hoped that the Brevard Zoo Turtle Healing Center can continue its work for many years to come.
