Sea Turtle Release Off Juno Beach Tuesday May 7th, 2019

Who: Loggerhead Marinelife Center

When*: Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at 2:00 p.m.; pre-release procedures begin at 1:30 p.m.

Where: Loggerhead Marinelife Center (14200 US Highway One, Juno Beach)

What: LMC will release Valentina the sea turtle from its facility off Juno Beach.

Valentina is a sub-adult loggerhead sea turtle patient. The patient's bloodwork on arrival indicated anemia and hypoglycemia. Valentina was underweight, lethargic and in poor health due to chronic debilitation. The turtle also was missing its left front flipper due to an unknown trauma. The wound was treated topically with honey and therapeutic laser. Valentina received parenteral nutrition, antibiotics, and iron to treat its chronic debilitation.

Valentina will be prepared for release from LMC starting at 1:30 p.m. LMC docents will convey the history of the turtles’ journey and final preparations to visitors, with a procession to the beach for the release to follow. We recommend arriving early for parking and to find a good spot on the beach.

Members of the media interested in covering the release should contact Carla B. Mroz, public relations and communications manager, at cmroz@marinelife.orgor 561-627-8280, ext. 124, to request a media pass.

If you are not able to attend, be sure to tune into our Facebook LIVE.

Local staff will be available for media interviews at their discretion.

*Weather may impact the scheduling of this release. Please check marinelife.org and LMC’s social media channels for updates.

*Protect yourself from the sun and bring a hat, reusable water bottle, shades, and sunscreen.

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About Loggerhead Marinelife Center:

Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) is a nonprofit sea turtle research, rehabilitation and educational institution that promotes conservation of ocean ecosystems with a focus on threatened and endangered sea turtles. The Center features an on-site hospital, research laboratory, educational exhibits and aquariums, and also operates the Juno Beach Pier, which hosts world-class angling and sightseeing. Situated on one of the world’s most important sea turtle nesting beaches, Loggerhead Marinelife Center is open daily and hosts over 350,000 guests free-of-charge each year. The Center’s conservation team works with 76 local and international organizations across six continents to form partnerships and share conservation initiatives and best practices that are core to its mission of ocean conservation. The Center is expanding and has launched its Waves of Progress capital expansion campaign, designed to accelerate and amplify LMC’s conservation and education impact. When complete, the facility will offer one of the world’s most advanced and unique experiences for guests and scientific partners. For more information, visit marinelife.org or call (561) 627-8280.