Marine Science Center Releases 6 Rehabbed Sea Turtles

Six sea turtles were recently released in Volusia County after being rehabilitated at the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet. All of the turtles were juvenile green sea turtles. The release was made open to the public on Wednesday, October 14. Those who attended at the Beach Street Ramp in Ponce Inlet were able to see the care of Marine Science Center researchers translate into a next chapter for half a dozen turtles. Each of the six turtles had their own name: Frogish, Mangrove Snapper, Highland Cow, Nurse Shark, Armadillo, and Silkie Chicken. Along with their release, the Marine Science Center also returned a rehabilitated juvenile brown pelican into the wild as well. The six turtles released last week were among hundreds that go through the care of the Marine Science Center. According to a report from the Volusia County government, the Center has taken in 243 sea turtles, 250 hatchlings and washbacks, and 215 other reptiles since the beginning of 2026. These other reptile species include gopher tortoises, box turtles, and freshwater turtles. Since opening its doors in 2002, the Marine Science Center has taken in over 27,000 turtles and 19,000 seabirds according to its official website. This has helped support marine ecosystems in Volusia County, where several endangered species regularly run into entanglement and other injuries. With the exception of the green sea turtle, every sea turtle species seen in Volusia County is listed as either endangered or vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.