Join Otis’ Journey: The Florida Aquarium Releases Rehabilitated Sea Turtle Back into the Atlantic Ocean

September 20, 2024

Share Story

Tampa, FL (September 19, 2024) – After six months of dedicated care at The Florida Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center in Apollo Beach, FL, Otis, a juvenile green sea turtle, made its way home to the Atlantic Ocean this week from Washington Oaks Gardens State Park in Palm Coast.

Thanks to a grant from Verizon and in collaboration with the Sea Turtle Conservancy, Otis embarks on this journey with a satellite tag attached to the turtle’s shell (carapace), providing a unique opportunity for the community and biologists to track Otis‘ travels and gather critical conservation data.

Track Otis’ journey HERE

“The Florida Aquarium is committed to the complete rehabilitation of each of our sea turtle patients, from the moment they arrive to long after their release,” said Ashley Riese, Director of The Florida Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Conservation Program. “We strive to ensure that they thrive in their natural environment. By monitoring post-release behavior through satellite tags, we gather critically important information that helps us better understand their activity patterns and environmental preferences, tracking their success and ultimately guiding our future rehabilitation and conservation efforts.”

Otis stranded off Florida’s east coast in March and had been exposed to cold air and water temperatures for an extended period of time. The turtle had to overcome debilitating health challenges including hypothermia, a skin infection, anemia, and a bacterial infection.

The special piece of tracking equipment sends a signal to a satellite each time Otis surfaces to breathe, allowing researchers and the public to track the turtle’s movements on a map. This cutting-edge technology provides essential data to scientists at The Florida Aquarium, helping to monitor Otis‘ activities, including feeding behaviors, travel patterns and environmental conditions like water temperatures.

Verizon’s continued support for The Florida Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Program underscores the importance of providing biologists with essential tools and connecting the community to the heart of these conservation efforts.

“We are proud to support the critical work of The Florida Aquarium to help protect these remarkable animals,” said Courtney Barnard, Verizon’s Director of Governmental Affairs. “By following these turtles’ journeys, people of all ages can witness firsthand the impact of our collective efforts, fostering a deeper connection to the ocean and a shared commitment to preserving the wonder of our natural world. Together, we can make a difference.”

Initially triaged to University of Florida’s Whitney Lab Sea Turtle Hospital and Volusia Marine Science Center through a partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Otis, along with 29 other green sea turtles arrived at The Florida Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center in March for long-term supportive care, including antibiotics, and to fully recover.

All sea turtle rehabilitation work conducted by The Florida Aquarium is done with the approval of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) under conditions not harmful to marine turtles and authorized under conservation activities pursuant to FWC MTP-24-179.