Gulf World Marine Institute (GWMI) is releasing an adult male loggerhead sea turtle back into the gulf on Wednesday morning, April 16, 2025 at 1030 am CT across from the Carousel Supermarket at 19440 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach.
“Damon” stranded in Franklin County on June 7th, 2024 with buoyancy control issues and was transported to Gulf Specimen Marine Lab for rehabilitation. He then was transferred to GWMI on August 28th, 2024 to assess his ability to swim and dive in a deeper habitat. He also received multiple procedures in attempts to remove air from his body cavity. While he still had buoyancy challenges his appetite fluctuated; thankfully once his appetite stabilized he began to gain a healthy amount of weight and eventually was able to swim, dive and settle on the bottom exceptionally well.
Gulf World Marine Institute is very grateful to those involved in the rescue and transport of these sea turtles, including Gulf Specimen Marine Lab. This turtle has been medically cleared by veterinary staff and have been cleared for release by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The public is invited to attend this event. Please keep in mind this event is subject to change based on weather conditions.
GWMI would like to thank everyone involved in the rescue of stranded sea turtles. If you see a stranded or deceased dolphin, whale or sea turtle, please immediately report to Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, 1-888-404-3922 or #FWC on your cell phone.
