After Being Deemed “Non-Releasable,” a Sea Turtle Beats the Odds

After making a very rare comeback, Sunburst, a sub-adult green sea turtle, was returned to the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida. Sunburst was rescued in Florida five years ago, suffering from flipper injuries and unable to move and dive. The turtle was rehabilitated at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and settled into captivity at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium three years ago after she was deemed “non-releasable.” But the team there did such a good job taking care of Sunburst that the veterinarians who treated her at the Georgia rehab and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed she was ready to head back to the ocean after all. Sunburst made the long road-trip home to Florida Tuesday and Wednesday, and was set free Thursday. While the zoo refers to Sunburst as a “she,” Florida Fish and Wildlife notes that Sunburst’s gender is still a mystery. — Read it at Florida Fish and Wildlife’s Facebook Page and see more photos on Flickr