Why Stay Home? Double Public Sea Turtle Release
Ditch the WFH lifestyle, join LMC for its first public sea turtle release in over a year.
We've been starved for our public sea turtle releases! After over a year of waiting, we have the thumbs up to safely organize our first public release since February of 2020. On Wednesday, July 14th at 9:30 a.m. join us on Juno Beach as we send off Big Chase and Pike after their successful recovery!
Pike, a subadult loggerhead sea turtle patient, was found near the Juno Beach Pier and rescued through LMC’s Responsible Pier Initiative (RPI). The turtle arrived at the Center in poor health due to chronic debilitation and was superficially hooked in its front left flipper. The turtle received treatment and was closely monitored by hospital staff with routine diagnostics.
Big Chase, a male loggerhead sea turtle patient, was found by biologists from Inwater Research Group at FPL’s St. Lucie site. The turtle arrived underweight, and radiographs revealed an intestinal impaction of crab shells and large barnacles. Big Chase was closely monitored by the hospital staff with routine blood work.
Both sea turtles have been medically cleared to return to the ocean after successful rehabilitation. LMC invites supporters who cannot attend the public release to view the release on YouTube Live!
WHO: A subadult loggerhead sea turtle patient, Pike, and a male loggerhead, Big Chase
WHAT: A double release of both sea turtle patients
WHEN: Wednesday, July 14th at 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: The beach located directly adjacent to LMC’s campus
Sea Turtle Release Safety Tips
*LMC advises guests to protect themselves adequately against the South Florida sun.
* Wear a hat
* Wear cool clothing
* Wear sunscreen
* Bring a reusable water bottle
* Bring sunglasses
Watch Online
* Subscribe to LMC’s YouTube channel to receive notifications about the live sea turtle release and participate in the release chat
* Log in 10 minutes early and refresh your page at the time (9:25 a.m.) of the live stream
* View the release in an area with strong wifi or internet connection
* Have your volume turned up to clearly hear information about Big Chase and Pike
We hope you’ll join the virtual seaside celebration on Wednesday, July 14!
Media Members: On the day of the release, invited media members are asked to sign in at the Center or at the beach. To ensure media members have an exclusive experience, media members are asked to view the release from a private media section. If you are a media member planning to cover, please email Lauren Eissey, the Public Relations and Engagement Specialist, at leissey@marinelife.org or call 561-627-8280, ext. 124.
Loggerhead Marinelife Center
Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) is a nonprofit sea turtle research, rehabilitation and educational institution that promotes conservation of ocean ecosystems with a focus on threatened and endangered sea turtles. The Center features an on-site hospital, research laboratory, educational exhibits and aquariums, and also operates the Juno Beach Pier, which hosts world-class angling and sightseeing. Situated on one of the world’s most important sea turtle nesting beaches, Loggerhead Marinelife Center is open daily and hosts over 350,000 guests free-of-charge each year. The Center’s conservation team works with 90 local and international organizations across six continents to form partnerships and share conservation initiatives and best practices that are core to its mission of ocean conservation. The Center is expanding and has launched its Waves of Progress capital expansion campaign, designed to accelerate and amplify LMC’s conservation and education impact. When complete, the facility will offer one of the world’s most advanced and unique experiences for guests and scientific partners. For more information, visit www.marinelife.org or call (561) 627-8280.
Please direct any inquiries to Lauren Eissey at leissey@marinelife.org.