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Governor, FWC chairman help set Charlie
the turtle free
May 23, 2007
Contact: Dani Moschella (772) 215-9459
About year ago, circumstances were grim for a
green sea turtle struggling to swim in the Atlantic Ocean near
Islamorada. Suffering from a virus, with tumors all over its
body, the 120-pound turtle was facing death. A line from a
lobster trap had become entangled around a football-sized tumor
on its flipper.
A group of fishermen found it and turned it over
to The Turtle Hospital, a non-profit rehabilitation facility in
Marathon. Three days later, a veterinarian there did laser
surgery remove the tumors, and the turtle, nicknamed "Charlie,”
was on its way to recovery. After a year of care at The Turtle
Hospital, Charlie was ready to return to the wild.
On Sunday, Gov. Charlie Crist, Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Chairman Rodney Barreto
and hospital founder Richie Moretti released the healthy turtle
into the ocean about 12 miles offshore. Both avid outdoorsmen
who spend plenty of time on the water, Barreto and Crist helped
lift the 140-pound turtle off the boat and gently let it swim
into the water.
"Then she really took off. This turtle’s
recovery illustrates how people can help Florida’s wildlife
flourish. It was an inspiring experience that I will never
forget,” Barreto said. "I think it was a memorable day for
Charlie the turtle and Charlie the governor, as well.”
For more information about the FWC visit
MyFWC.com, and for more information about The Turtle Hospital
visit
turtlehospital.org. |
