Oct 14, 2008 3:54 pm US/Eastern
Rehabbed Loggerhead Sea Turtle Returned To The Sea
Johnny The Turtle Was Hacked With A Machete In July
He Recovered At Marathon's Turtle Hospital
MARATHON (CBS4) ―
A protected loggerhead sea turtle that was repeatedly hacked with a machete has made a full recovery and been released back into the wild in the waters off the Florida Keys.
The turtle, named "Johnny", was released Tuesday near the west end of the Seven Mile Bridge.
"Johnny" was rescued on July 12th after witnesses saw the butchering and called law enforcement authorities. The turtle was transported to The Turtle Hospital in Marathon where it recovered.
The famed Jack Hanna, director-emeritus of Columbus Zoo and nature show television host, participated in Tuesday's turtle release. About 120 Keys residents and visitors also showed up to the watch the release.
Carrying the turtle back to the water was Turtle Hospital Director Richie Moretti, Hanna and Alberto Rodriguez, the Miami resident that witnessed the attack and called the Monroe County Sheriff's Office to report the crime.
Officials from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission are continuing an investigation into the turtle's injuries. The machete used in the attack was recovered and evidence sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for analysis.
Conviction of mutilation of a sea turtle is a third-degree penalty punishable with a fine up to $5,000 and up to a five-year prison sentence, according to FWC officer Bobby Dube.
"When I saw that turtle in July, and saw the depths of the cuts down to the scull, I didn't think this release was going to happen," said Moretti. "You know these animals have been around for almost 200 million years, and every one of these we can put back in the wild. That one just might make the difference in whether future generations might be able to see a turtle. So that turtle may be responsible for thousands of turtles in the future."
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