Seven rehabilitated sea turtles made their way back into the Gulf last Thursday morning as a large crowd gathered at Inlet Beach to cheer on the Gulfarium CARE Center’s latest release.

• Families, locals and visitors lined the shoreline as each turtle returned home. The release, along with several others taking place throughout Walton County this year, is sponsored by the St. Joe Community Foundation, whose support helps fund the center’s rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

Two of the turtles released were familiar faces to the CARE Center team.

Ditto, a 133-pound adult female loggerhead, returned as a three-time patient after being accidentally hooked at Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier and made a quick recovery following treatment.

Pipsqueak, a 3.5-pound juvenile green sea turtle, had been released only weeks earlier before being found again with a hook in his throat. After another round of care, both turtles are healthy and back in the Gulf.

The other turtles released included Squidward, a Kemp’s ridley who received care after a hook injury; Plankton, a loggerhead who made a quick recovery; and Apricot, a large adult loggerhead who underwent a successful procedure to remove internal hook fragments. Loggerheads Sawyer and Gary were also among those released, each representing another successful rehabilitation by the CARE Center team.

“This kind of large turnout never gets old,” said Sarah Kamen, stranding coordinator for the Gulfarium CARE Center. “Seeing so many people come out to support these turtles and celebrate their return to the Gulf means so much. Every release is special, and it’s great that our local community is so involved.”

Anyone who sees a sea turtle in distress, injured or deceased is asked to report it to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922).