Turtle named Dilly Dally bids adieu to the beach, launches into Atlantic
Sea Turtle, Dilly Dally, Recovers and Returns to the Ocean Following Amputation of Flipper
BY CODY JACKSON
JUNO BEACH, Fla. – A young loggerhead sea turtle named Dilly Dally plunged into the Atlantic Ocean this morning, following a harrowing recovery journey at a Florida turtle hospital.
In January, Dilly Dally arrived at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) in Juno Beach, Florida, battered and wounded from predators. Her front flipper required amputation to ensure her survival. The dedicated team at LMC tended to Dilly Dally's recovery, and their efforts culminated in today's triumphant oceanic release.
"Every time we set a turtle free is more than just a special moment for us. It's a victory for all the interns, volunteers, staff, and everyone who dedicates their time to help these sea turtles,” said Marika Weber, a veterinary technician at the center. “It's a truly emotional release, and the crowd of supporters only adds to the excitement.”
The rough seas nearly postponed Dilly Dally's grand departure, but the crew braved the elements to bring the small turtle to the shore. A curious crowd gathered to witness the historic event, cheering on Dilly Dally as she courageously waded into the ocean.
To trace Dilly Dally's journey, the public can visit the LMC's Turtle Tracker. This interactive platform employs a satellite tracking device attached to Dilly Dally's shell, allowing viewers to monitor her movement in real-time[1][2][3]. In a unique partnership with the Smithsonian Institution, the satellite tag was added to Dilly Dally's shell the previous day.
"Now Dilly Dally's the first three-flipper sea turtle to carry a live satellite tag. We can gather real-time data on her whereabouts, which will provide insight into her migration and foraging patterns,” Weber explained. “We're eager to study these turtles more closely, as they are less understood compared to their four-flipper counterparts.”
As an endangered species, every sea turtle plays a vital role in preserving the balance of marine ecosystems.
"With every turtle we save and return to its natural habitat, we help the species as a whole,” Weber added.
Follow Dilly Dally's voyages across the blue expanse at Marinelife Turtle Tracker[1][2][3].
Frisaro updated from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
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[1] https://www.marinelife.org/patients/dilly-dally/[2] https://www.marinelife.org/patients/turtle-tracker/[3] https://news.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/sea-turtle-with-three-flippers-is-now-being-tracked-by-the-smithsonian-180973497/
- The environmental science team at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Seattle has conducted a pioneering study on the health-and-wellness impacts of various therapies and treatments on three-flipper sea turtles, such as the recently released Dilly Dally.
- Taking a break from the Florida sun, Marika Weber, a veterinary technician at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, recently delivered a guest lecture at the University of Washington's Department of Environmental Science discussing the influence of the weather patterns on sea turtle migration and foraging strategies.
- Committed to safeguarding the environment, theLoggerhead Marinelife Center in Seattle has expanded its focus on health-and-wellness, therapies-and-treatments, and supporting conservation initiatives for endangered sea turtles, hoping to change the tides for these magnificent creatures.
