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Fit for freedom, CB swims back home
By CHARY SOUTHMAYD
Article published on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007 |
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![[Image]](/content_images/101707_bee-05.jpg) |
| Photo courtesy of CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM |
| CB, a rehabilitated loggerhead sea turtle, heads for the waters of the Gulf of Mexico Oct. 17. |
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CLEARWATER BEACH – After a 4-month rehabilitation stint heavy on antibiotics and good eating at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, CB, a loggerhead sea turtle, was released into the Gulf of Mexico behind Palm Pavilion on Bay Esplanade Wednesday morning.
CB was found near Honeymoon Island July 1, suffering from weight loss and a serious infection.
After feasting on capelin and squid for several months, CB now weighs 120 pounds and received a clean bill of health, clearing the way for its return to the gulf waters.
Armed with cameras, interested onlookers gathered for the uniquely coastal event. Turtle releases always draw a crowd and such happy endings are especially meaningful as the loggerhead population has been on the decline for several years. The combination of rehabilitating injured sea turtles with protection of hatchlings is designed to halt the loggerhead population decline. Loggerhead turtles are classified as a threatened species.
The CMA could not determine the sex of this rescued sub-adult loggerhead.
In addition to rehabilitating sea turtles, CMA oversees the sea turtle nesting program for the beaches of Pinellas County.
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Article published on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007
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