Sea turtle released after year in captivity

After being injured by boat propellers last summer, Andre the loggerhead was returned to the same place he found a year ago.

"It's a beautiful thing to see a turtle who had overcome so many obstacles," Ranly said. Last summer, Andre was spotted by beachgoers on a sand bar on just a few miles from Loggerhead. Andre had been struck by two boat propellers and was near death. He had a collapsed lung, severe infections and three pounds of sand resting on his shell. Andre's injuries were so serious, Bethlyn McCloskey, a Loggerhead volunteer, didn't think he was going to make it. "I thought we were wasting our time," McCloskey said. "But this staff performs miracles." Ranly said Loggerhead used a "wound vacuum" to draw out all infectious fluids. The center also used grafting material to repair Andre's spinal cord, which was exposed.

To read the full article, click here. Video of the release is after the bump. photo courtsey of planet save.