Gulf World Marine Institute (GWMI) is releasing “Killian”, a subadult loggerhead sea turtle, into the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday, May 3rd at 9:00 am from the Inlet Beach Regional Beach Access at 438 W Park Place Avenue.
PLEASE NOTE: The Facebook Event lists the start time as 8:45 to encourage people to arrive early enough to get a good spot, and to take advantage of our education and merchandise opportunities.
Killian was accidentally caught by a fisherman at the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier on May 27, 2022, and transferred to GWMI the next day. Killian has had a long road to recovery; there were a total of 5 fishing hooks in this turtle’s body, including one very large shark-sized hook in the mouth, 3 circle/J-hooks in the esophagus, and a treble hook in the intestines. Killian is now hook-free, and has undergone multiple exams and surgeries, along with different therapies for recovery, to get him/her to the level of health they are at now. Thankfully, after almost a year, Killian has been medically cleared by veterinary staff and has been cleared for release by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The public is invited to attend this event. Please keep in mind this event is subject to change based on weather conditions.
GWMI would like to thank everyone involved in the rescue of Killian! This includes the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Center Stranding Team, Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center, and GWMI volunteers. If you see a stranded or deceased dolphin, whale or sea turtle, please immediately report to Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, 1-888-404-3922 or #FWC on your cell phone.
PLEASE NOTE: The Facebook Event lists the start time as 8:45 to encourage people to arrive early enough to get a good spot, and to take advantage of our education and merchandise opportunities.
Killian was accidentally caught by a fisherman at the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier on May 27, 2022, and transferred to GWMI the next day. Killian has had a long road to recovery; there were a total of 5 fishing hooks in this turtle’s body, including one very large shark-sized hook in the mouth, 3 circle/J-hooks in the esophagus, and a treble hook in the intestines. Killian is now hook-free, and has undergone multiple exams and surgeries, along with different therapies for recovery, to get him/her to the level of health they are at now. Thankfully, after almost a year, Killian has been medically cleared by veterinary staff and has been cleared for release by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The public is invited to attend this event. Please keep in mind this event is subject to change based on weather conditions.
GWMI would like to thank everyone involved in the rescue of Killian! This includes the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Center Stranding Team, Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center, and GWMI volunteers. If you see a stranded or deceased dolphin, whale or sea turtle, please immediately report to Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, 1-888-404-3922 or #FWC on your cell phone.
