The Meeting of the Burts

JUPITER, FL – May 1, 2017 – Burt Reynolds was found entangled in a 75-pound ghost net floating in the surf off of Hobe Sound Beach, in Martin County. His rescuers discovered that in addition to being severely underweight, he had a constriction injury to his left front flipper. That’s right, his front flipper. This Burt Reynolds isn’t the American acting treasure and Jupiter hometown hero, but rather his turtle namesake — a sub-adult Olive Ridley Sea Turtle.

Olive Ridleys are pelagic turtles, commonly found in the open ocean. This species is most common to the waters off Central and South America. According to Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC), Burt Reynolds the Turtle is the first Olive Ridley to strand as far north as Martin County and is also only the fifth Olive Ridley documented as stranding in Florida. Apparently, like his human namesake, Burt Reynolds the Turtle performs his own stunts.

Burt Reynolds the Turtle’s treatments at LMC have included parenteral nutrition, iron supplements, and antibiotics. He is steadily improving, no doubt aided by a visit from Burt Reynolds — the Actor.

Mr. Reynolds recently visited LMC’s advanced sea turtle hospital to meet Burt Reynolds the Turtle.

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While viewing his recuperating namesake, Burt Reynolds the Actor presented Jack Lighton, LMC President and CEO, with an autographed photo, thanking the center for providing care to his namesake. That autographed headshot is on display next to Burt Reynolds the Turtle’s hospital tank.

“I’m very happy to know that Burt Reynolds (the turtle) is in good hands with Jack and everybody at Loggerhead Marinelife Center,” says actor Burt Reynolds. “They do great work and I am proud to be associated with them, I visit whenever I can — you should too.”

Mr. Reynolds’ long-time friend and film producer, Suzanne Niedland, made the meeting between Reynolds the actor and LMC possible. More photos of Burt Reynolds visiting LMC can be viewed on the Facebook page of the upcoming documentary film, “BURT a Documentary”: www.facebook.com/BurtMovie.