The Turtle Hospital is excited to announce a public sea turtle release on Saturday, September 28^th  at 10:00 AM!  Please join us on Sombrero Beach in Marathon, as we send Cupid off with love.   We will arrive with the sea turtle just after 9:30 a.m. and the release will happen promptly at 10:00 a.m.   Cupid, a 150 pound loggerhead turtle was rescued off of Marathon on Valentine’s Day, February 14^th  where she was found floating and swimming in circles.  Cupid had a severe fracture to her head and to the front of her shell that most likely occurred due to a boat strike.  Cupid was given plenty of time to recover, and spent her first couple of months in shallow water fitted with a float harness to allow time for her fractures to heal.   Cupid was treated with a broad spectrum antibiotic, vitamins and a healthy diet of squid and fish.  Cupid’s fractures have stabilized, she is swimming well and ready to go back to her ocean home.

2/14/13: Cupid is found swimming in circles against the shore, struggling to breathe.Rehab: Cupid is affixed with a float harness to help her swim. Received antibiotics and wound treatment. Water was gradually increased and physical therapy corrected her disorientation. 9/6/13: Cupid moved to the 30,000 gallon tank for a final test of her swimming capabilities. Her old habits of circling and tumbling in deep water are gone, ready for release!

9/24/13: Staff gives Cupid a final blood draw, scrub down, and identification tags!