A giant sea turtle, nicknamed “Jolly,” was released off the Florida Keys Friday (March 10). Onlookers cheered as she went into the water.
She was rescued on Feb. 8 after she got entangled in crab trap lines.
The manager at the Turtle Hospital said it was important once “Jolly” recovered, to release her in time for the nesting season, which begins in April.
“It’s really important to get a turtle this mature back out into the wild. They are sexually mature, which means they are reproductive and sea turtles aren’t reproductive until they are 20-25 years old,” said Bette Zirkelbach.
Zirkelbach estimates “Jolly” to be more than 50 years old.
(AP)
