PHOTOS: Brevard Zoo Releases Sea Turtle Treated for Swallowing Hook

Yesterday afternoon in Melbourne Beach, Brevard Zoo’s Sea Turtle Healing Center released juvenile green sea turtle Kernel. This patient was admitted in January after ingesting a fishhook, which required surgical removal.

Kernel—so named for arriving on National Popcorn Day—was nursed back to health with antibiotics, fluids and nutritional support.

“Accidents happen, and you won’t get in any legal trouble for inadvertently hooking a sea turtle,” said Shanon Gann, the Zoo’s sea turtle program manager. “If possible, don’t cut the line, and use a net to safely guide the sea turtle to shore or onto your boat; in fact, many piers have nets available for this purpose. Do not reel the sea turtle in as this could deepen the wound. Then call Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC for further instruction.

“This is what the couple that hooked Kernel did, and that decision quite possibly saved Kernel’s life.”

Hooks that are no longer of use can be disposed of responsibly by being wrapped in several layers of paper, then placed in the garbage.

PHOTOS: © 2019 Brevard Zoo. All Rights Reserved.