Four Rehabilitated Sea Turtles Head Back to the Ocean Tuesday

August 10, 2026

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Apollo Beach, FL – After months of intensive rehabilitation and veterinary care, four juvenile green sea turtles treated at The Florida Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center will return to the Atlantic Ocean on Tuesday, August 11, giving the turtles a second chance at life in the wild.

Dark Blue Yellow, Pink, Black, and Light Blue Pink will be released together near Palm Coast on Florida’s east coast after completing their rehabilitation. Their journeys to recovery have been different:

• Dark Blue Yellow stranded on March 29 at Minerva Beach near Daytona Beach after suffering a severe gash across the underside of its shell, or plastron, one of the most serious wounds the Aquarium’s animal care team has successfully treated in a sea turtle.
• The other three turtles were rescued throughout March off Florida’s east coast after being cold-stunned, when exposure to cold water can leave turtles weak, lethargic, and unable to swim.

All four turtles completed their exit examinations within the past two weeks and were determined to be healthy and ready for release.

A Remarkable Recovery
As part of Dark Blue Yellow’s treatment, The Florida Aquarium’s animal care team used a specialized topical ointment that creates a waterproof barrier over the wound, helping protect the injured area while supporting the healing process.

The ointment was part of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan that included ongoing wound care, nutritional support, veterinary treatment, and close monitoring by the Aquarium’s sea turtle biologists and veterinary team. Together, these efforts helped Dark Blue Yellow recover from an injury that could have otherwise been deadly.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD VIDEO & PHOTOS OF DARK BLUE YELLOW
Courtesy: The Florida Aquarium

Four Turtles Remain in Rehabilitation
Following Tuesday’s release, four juvenile green sea turtles will remain at The Florida Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center. The Aquarium has cared for 22 turtles this season, many of which arrived after cold-stunning events and required intensive care. The four turtles remaining will continue receiving treatment until they are medically cleared for release.

For more information about the sea turtle conservation program, visit the Aquarium’s website.

NOTE: 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-26-179.