Sea turtle released on Clearwater Beach after flipper amputation, rehab

Published: Updated:
Olivia sea turtle release
Olivia the sea turtle was released March 11, 2020, on Clearwater Beach after 10 months of rehabilitation following a boat strike injury. (Photo: Clearwater Marine Aquarium)

Olivia the sea turtle has returned to the sea after recovering from a boat strike.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium released the juvenile green sea turtle on Wednesday at Clearwater Beach after months of rehabilitation – and an amputation.

Dr. Shelly Marquardt said Olivia was found floating offshore by a boater near John’s Pass on June 2, 2019.

“A physical exam found that Olivia had severe injuries to the carapace [shell] and left rear flipper that appeared to be consistent with an old boat strike injury,” Marquardt said.

Olivia sea turtle rehab
Olivia was found floating offshore by a boater on June 2, 2019, and received 10 months of care before being released March 11, 2020. (Photo: Clearwater Marine Aquarium)

Medical staff amputated Olivia’s left rear flipper and a damaged end portion of her shell due to the severity of her injuries.

Olivia, weighing in at 53 pounds, also had an infection affecting her front flippers, which 10 months of rehabilitation eventually cleared up, allowing her to be released back into the Gulf on Wednesday.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.