Gulf World to release sea turtle this afternoon

The Gulf World Marine institute in Panama City will release a sea turtle today at Tyndall Air Force Base.

The sea turtle is called Charlie; it’s a young loggerhead sea turtle that was hit by a boat over a year ago.

Charlie has been medically cleared to be released after 14 months of rehabilitation at Gulf World Marine Institute.

Charlie’s case is unique; initially the turtle was not moving its rear flippers which led rescuers to believe that Charlie was going to be permanently paralyzed.

But despite severe trauma to the vertebra, Charlie has recovered movement and feeling of his hind flippers.

The therapy regimen included cold laser therapy to reduce inflammation and the use of local beeswax donated by Tupelo Beekeepers Association to heal his top shell.

The turtle release will take place this afternoon at the Tyndall Crooked Island East Public Beach Access at 1 PM Central time.

The public is invited to watch and get pictures and videos of the event.

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