JUNO BEACH, Fla. (AP) 鈥� A crowd cheered and took photos as two loggerhead sea turtles slowly made their way through the sand and into the Atlantic Ocean on Monday after rehabbing at a Florida marine life center.
Cayman and Finley arrived at in Juno Beach after separate incidents left them injured, officials said. The center treats injured turtles and as soon as they are healthy enough to survive on their own.
Cayman's front left flipper became entangled in fishing line, and he was brought to the center on Feb. 6, in need of surgery, said Dr. Heather Barron, a veterinarian and the center's chief science officer.
鈥淲e went in and we cleaned all that up surgically鈥� she said. 鈥滱nd, he has been doing very well. Recovered beautifully from the surgery. Can鈥檛 even see a scar there now."
Finley had a fishing hook embedded in his shoulder when he arrived on April 27.
鈥淭his one actually came out very easily. But never underestimate the ability of a dirty fishhook to cause a really nasty infection,鈥� Barron said.
The turtles were released on the beach just across from the research center, which is north of West Palm Beach.
鈥淚t鈥檚 always a celebration on the beach," said Andy Dehart, the center's president and CEO.
He said the staff is always excited to release the turtles.
鈥淭o see them return to the ocean is the best part of our job,鈥� Dehart said.
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Frisaro reported from Fort Lauderdale.
Cody Jackson And Freida Frisaro, The Associated Press
