Watch: 127-Pound Loggerhead Turtle Gets New Lease On Life

CLEARWATER, FL — The Clearwater Marine Aquarium celebrated another successful rehabilitation when the staff and volunteers bid farewell to Nitro.

The rescued loggerhead sea turtle was found floating on Aug. 13 by a Sea Tow vessel on patrol near Hurricane Pass in Pinellas County.

The Sea Tow captain contacted CMA’s Rescue Team and brought the animal directly to CMA. When she arrived, Nitro was lethargic and slightly thin, weighing 107 pounds. She had thick algae and several barnacles on her shell.

The veterinary staff discovered that she was suffering from a gastrointestinal disorder.

A treatment protocol of fluids, a special diet, exercise and vitamins put her back on track. She gained 20 pounds during a short period in rehab and was cleared for release back into the wild by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the veterinary staff at CMA.

Nitro was successfully released off Clearwater Beach on Sept. 12 as a crowd of beach-goers, aquarium staff and volunteers bid her farewell.