Loggerhead Marinelife Center Releases Xander The Sea Turtle, Who Was Rescued From St. Lucie Power Plant Intake Canal Last Summer

A sea turtle rescued from the St. Lucie Power Plant Intake Canal has been released back into the ocean.

Last summer, a group of biologists with Inwater Research Group discovered a subadult loggerhead, whom they named Xander, entangled in fishing line. After nursing Xander back to health, Loggerhead Marinelife Center released the sea turtle Thursday morning on the beach behind the facility.

When Xander was discovered, both of his rear flippers were wrapped in thick fishing line, leaving him wounded. He arrived at Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach for rehabilitation on July 21.

Loggerhead treated Xander with antibiotics, antiseptic cleanser, and cold laser therapy. He also underwent orthopedic surgery to repair a fracture in his right rear flipper.

Here’s a look at a healthy Xander the sea turtle making his way back home:

(Photos by Melanie Bell)

See Xander under the care of Loggerhead Marinelife Center in the video below. (Skip to the 1:49 mark.)