Turtle Hospital staff is getting ready for our next release! Today, a pre-release exam was completed in preparation for the release of a subadult Loggerhead sea turtle named Grace. The exam included a weight, measurements, photographs, and tagging. Flipper tags were fixed on both front flippers and a “PIT” (Passive Integrated Transponder) tag, about the size of a grain of rice, was injected into the muscle. With these two systems, it is ensured that if ‘Grace’ ever re-strands in the world she can be identified by the unique alphanumeric code on the tags.After being found floating and lethargic, covered in biota, Grace was brought to the hospital. With a healthy diet and medication Grace passed a small plastic fragment, likely the cause of the gas in the GI, and can now sink to the bottom. Luckily, the turtle was rescued in time and avoided possibly getting hit by a boat or being picked off by a predator! This turtle has reminded us how important it is to make sure we dispose of trash and recycle properly as to not hurt innocent wildlife. Stay tuned for an exact date and location for the release of Grace in the upcoming weeks!