Three juvenile sea turtles swam back into the Gulf on Monday morning as the Gulfarium CARE Center held its first public turtle release of 2025.

• Beachgoers and marine life enthusiasts gathered at Henderson Beach State Park to watch as Riorson, Pee-wee, and Peony were returned to their natural habitat under sunny skies and calm surf conditions.

“This was a beautiful way to start our turtle season,” said Tabitha Siegfried, Stranding Coordinator at the Gulfarium CARE Center. “Seeing the public come out to cheer on these animals really speaks to how much people care about marine conservation and our work here.”

Riorson, a juvenile green sea turtle, spent nearly four months in rehabilitation after being found cold-stunned on Okaloosa Island in January. During recovery, the turtle gained two pounds before being cleared for release.

Pee-wee, a juvenile Kemp’s ridley sea turtle weighing 3.6 pounds, was foul-hooked at the Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier on May 13. The turtle was quickly treated and released less than a week after its rescue.

The third turtle, Peony, another juvenile green sea turtle weighing just under four pounds, was hooked at the Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier on May 11 while attempting to take mullet bait. Peony also made a full recovery before Monday’s release.

• The CARE Center has already rescued and rehabilitated over 50 sea turtles in 2025.

The center continues to serve as a key part of the Gulfarium’s mission to protect marine life along the Emerald Coast. The Gulfarium has expanded its conservation efforts through a new partnership with the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership, which has brought three rescued manatees to the park’s new Manatee Cove habitat.

Residents and visitors who spot sea turtles in distress, injured, or deceased should report it to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922).

The Gulfarium CARE Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on coastal conservation through marine animal rescue and rehabilitation. The center and its patients can be visited with general admission to Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park.