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PALM COAST- Today SeaWorld Orlando today released
a loggerhead sea turtle at Washington Oaks Gardens State
Park after 15 months of treatment at SeaWorld. The
turtle was rescued in June 2004 after it was found
severely injured in the St. John’s River.
“We are honored to release an endangered turtle to
the wild from the shores of one of our State Parks,”
said Florida State Parks Director Mike Bullock. “The
pristine waters of the Atlantic at Washington Oaks are
perfect for this occasion.”
Loggerhead sea turtles typically measure about three
feet in length and can weigh upwards of 200 pounds. All
eight species of sea turtles are listed as endangered or
threatened on the U.S. Endangered and Threatened
Wildlife and Plants List.
The turtle’s rehabilitation is part of an ongoing
program at SeaWorld Orlando which has rescued,
rehabilitated and released 511 sea turtles since the
program’s inception in 1980.
Abutting the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas River,
scenic Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is an ideal
location for strolls along unique shoreline of coquina
rock formations that line its Atlantic beach, hiking,
biking, fishing or picnicking. Florida's state park
system is one of the largest in the country with 159
parks covering more than 700,000 acres. Under the
leadership of Governor Jeb Bush, Florida added eight new
parks and more than 203,000 acres to its
nationally-renowned park system. For more information,
visit
www.FloridaStateParks.org. | 
