Beluga the Sea Turtle Returns to the Ocean After Months of Rehabilitation
JUNO BEACH, Fla. — One of Loggerhead Marinelife Center's most recognizable sea turtle patients has officially returned home.
After spending months under the care of veterinarians and rehabilitation specialists at Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Beluga, a green sea turtle that captured the hearts of visitors and supporters, has been successfully released back into the Atlantic Ocean.
Beluga was admitted to the center with a severe front flipper injury that required surgery, stabilization, and extensive rehabilitation. Over the following weeks, veterinary staff closely monitored the turtle's recovery, helping Beluga regain the strength and mobility needed for life back in the wild.
The successful release marks another milestone for the Juno Beach-based marine hospital, which treats hundreds of sick and injured sea turtles each year.
"Every successful release is a reminder of what is possible through rehabilitation, research, conservation, and the support of our community," Loggerhead Marinelife Center shared in announcing Beluga's return to the ocean.
Beluga was also one of the center's symbolically adoptable sea turtles, allowing supporters to follow the turtle's recovery while helping fund medical care for wildlife in need.
For many staff members and volunteers, seeing rehabilitated turtles swim back into the ocean is the ultimate reward after months of dedicated care.
Loggerhead Marinelife Center thanked everyone who symbolically adopted Beluga or followed the turtle's recovery, noting that community support helps make future rescue and rehabilitation efforts possible.
With nesting season continuing along Palm Beach County's coastline, residents and visitors are reminded to help protect local sea turtles by keeping beaches clean, filling in holes, removing beach equipment before sunset, and giving nesting turtles and hatchlings plenty of space.
📍 To learn more about Loggerhead Marinelife Center and its sea turtle patients, visit marinelife.org.
Source: Loggerhead Marinelife Center