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“Trouble” the sea turtle to be released tomorrow

Posted at 1:13 PM, Sep 06, 2012
and last updated 2012-09-06 13:13:27-04

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center will release a rehabilitated loggerhead sea turtle

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center will release a rehabilitated loggerhead sea turtle off the shores of Cape Charles Friday afternoon.

Virginia Aquarium officials say on July 6, 2012, the Aquarium’s Stranding Response Team responded to a call from Onancock about a turtle entangled in crab pot gear. The rescue was logistically challenging, they say, requiring the help of several boaters to free the sea turtle’s right rear flipper from entanglement and capture it. The 125-pound turtle was named “Trouble” by team members.

The turtle’s wounds consisted of deep lacerations caused by the entanglement around the right rear flipper.

The release is Friday, September 7, at 1 p.m. Virginia Aquarium staff will conduct outreach education beginning at 12:30 p.m. The public is invited.

The release will take place at the Cape Charles city gazebo at the end of Randolph Ave.

In the last nine weeks, Trouble was treated at the Virginia Aquarium’s Maine Animal Care Center with antibiotics, fluid therapy, nutritional support, and extensive wound care.

Declared fully rehabilitated by veterinarian staff, Trouble is ready to return “home.” The loggerhead will be fitted with a satellite transmitter and its movements can be tracked on seaturtle.org within a few days.