In a major success story, Atlantis’ water features department released a once distressed 300 pound female loggerhead turtle back into the ocean just five miles off of Paradise Island on Wednesday.
The animal was handed over to Atlantis about two months ago by a group of concerned citizens who purchased it for $400 in a bid to save it from local fishermen who had attempted to butcher it.
The loggerhead, which suffered a large wound to its neck, was nursed back to good health by Atlantis’ water features team who provided it with food, antibiotics and vitamins.
Once it was determined that the animal could survive on its own, team members mounted a release mission which lasted for an hour.
Water features team members Todd Kemp, senior collector, and aquarists Jonathon Wong, Keisha Russell and Ross Martin placed the turtle in a large container with water. The turtle was then carefully placed on a boat and transported five miles off of Paradise Island where it was lowered into the ocean. “It was very successful,” said Kemp. “It was very exciting to return the loggerhead back into the wild. We were just a bit concerned as to how she would adapt however she obviously was very anxious to get back into ocean as she swam away peaceably without any problems.”
Source: The Tribune
