09/11/2025
Yesterday, “Bilbo,” a subadult female green sea turtle, was returned to the wild after more than a year of rehabilitation at Zoo Miami’s Sea Turtle Hospital. She is the 60th sea turtle returned to the wild since the Sea Turtle Hospital opening in June of 2022.
Bilbo arrived at Zoo Miami on September 2nd of last year after suffering a severe boat strike that resulted in several broken bones, serious carapace damage, and limited movement in her rear flippers.
During her time at Zoo Miami’s Sea Turtle Hospital, diagnostics were performed to fully evaluate the damage from the boat strike, including radiographs, ultrasound, a CT scan, advanced bloodwork, and cultures. Her treatment plan over the year combined Western and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, including antibiotics, extensive wound care, electroacupuncture, aquapuncture, moxibustion, herbal medications, cold laser therapy, and supplements to support her immune system. In addition, Bilbo spent two weeks at the Florida Aquarium to assess her buoyancy issues and ensure that she could navigate through the water column with her limited rear flipper mobility.
In preparation for release, she was given a land mobility test as well as a complete pre-release examination with lab work. She was also given a flipper tag and a transponder for tracking.
She was released at Bill Baggs State Park with the assistance of Zoo Miami’s Animal Health Care team that included Animal Care Specialist, Julie Hyde, and Associate Zoo Veterinarians, Dr. Gaby Flacke and Dr. Marisa Bezjian. All work was done under Permit # MTP-25-274A.
Green sea turtles are found in temperate and tropical oceans throughout the world. They are one of the largest of all sea turtles reaching a shell length of 3-4 feet and a weight close to 400 pounds. As adults, they feed primarily on algae and sea grasses. Their greatest threat is from commercial harvesting for their eggs and food.
📸: Ron Magill
