Brevard Zoo rehabilitates, releases loggerhead turtle back to sea

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. - The Brevard Zoo Sea Turtle's Healing Center has been working tirelessly over the last three months to get Jupiter, a loggerhead turtle, back home. 

According to Jess Patterson, a certified veterinary technician with the zoo's healing center, Jupiter was very emaciated and was covered in barnacles.

Patterson and her team have worked quickly to get Jupiter at a healthy weight. 

"They almost doubled their weight with us. They left at about 80 pounds, so they came in a little over 45," said Patterson. 

The Sea Turtle Healing Center has been open since 2014 and releases like Jupiter's are the best case scenario. 

The center sees about 100 patients a year, whether the turtles are recovering from an injury to needing treatment for an illness, the center is ready to go to give them a little help. 

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"So this is the day that we always hope and pray for. You know some patients aren't lucky enough to make it to this day, so every turtle that gets a release is a big reason to celebrate," said Patterson. 

Patterson said about 200 community members came out to celebrate Jupiter's release. 

If you find a sick or injured turtle, call the sea turtle healing center's Hotline at 321-206-0646 and leave them a message about where you found it.