The Turtle Hospital is excited to announce a public sea turtle release on Saturday, April 26th at 10:00 AM.  Join us on Sombrero Beach in Marathon as we cheer on Francis, a 170 pound loggerhead sea turtle.  Francis was rescued 1 mile off of Vaca Cut by our friends at Captain Hook’s Dive Center in January where she was found floating and struggling to dive.  X-rays revealed Francis was suffering from an impaction.  An impaction in a sea turtle sometimes causes the intestinal tract to get infected.  This infection produces gas which compromises the turtle’s buoyancy and causes the turtle to float. She was treated with broad spectrum antibiotics, and our miracle drugs: lactulose and beano to help alleviate her impaction.  Francis is now fully recovered, diving well and has gained almost 20 pounds!  She can’t wait to go back to her ocean home! The turtle ambulance will arrive at Sombrero Beach at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday and Francis will be released promptly at 10:00 a.m.  This is a wonderful opportunity to bring your family and friends to meet an adult loggerhead sea turtle up-close.