Earth Day Sea Turtle Release Draws Hundreds to Florida Keys Beach
Hundreds of spectators made their way to Marathon, Florida, on Tuesday, April 22, to celebrate a sea turtle release in honor of Earth Day.
In footage filmed by the Florida Keys News Bureau, spectators can be seen erupting in cheers as a rehabilitated sea turtle named Addie made her way into the Atlantic Ocean.
According to a statement, hospital manager Bette Zirkelbach said Addie had been rehabilitating at the Florida Keys Turtle Hospital since August 2024 after she was found covered in fibropapilloma tumors and with a fish hook embedded in her esophagus.
A report from the Florida Keys News Bureau said Addie wasn't expected to survive but was brought back to life three different times during her stay at the Florida Keys Turtle Hospital ahead of her heartwarming release back into the ocean at Sombrero Beach in Marathon.
'People want to do good things. And caring for sea turtles gives them something to care about,' Zirkelbach said. Credit: Florida Keys News Bureau via Storyful
I'm telling you, just, I was watching those videos with the PT.
You had so much patience with everything with her.
Oh my goodness, that you go straight.
OK, ready?
It's gonna go that way.
And there she goes It's coming up right now.
Good job.
Yeah, I that makes you wanna cry.
I am crying.
I got.
Let's um just slide her into the shade.
There we go.
And she took a long time to get better.
She's been at the Turtle Hospital for 9 months.
Is that amazing?
Thank you guys for being here.
Addie, she's a juvenile green sea turtle.
to come with us.
Hi To me it looks like your system is fine.
Looks to me like her system is fighting the.
It's winning.
Addie's a juvenile green sea turtle has been rehabilitating at the turtle Hospital since August of last year.
She had a fishing hook deeply embedded in her esophagus.
She was covered in fiber papilloma tumors.
There were hundreds of people here at the beach.
The compassion is contagious.
People want to do good things and caring for sea turtles gives them something to care about.
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