Sea Turtle Release Event at Loggerhead Center

Free: Rehabilitated, pregnant sea turtle release, on Juno Beach, July 30

Turtle-lovers are invited to help say goodbye to rehabilitated patient and pregnant Pennywise, who is ready to be released back into the ocean. The public release will take place on the beach behind the Loggerhead Marinelife Center.

Public turtle release

When: Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. (space is limited, arrive no later than 9)
Where: Loggerhead Marinelife Center, 14200 US-1, Juno Beach, FL 33408

Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

The Loggerhead Marinelife Center is near beaches where turtles nest. Photo by Damien du Toit.

The Pennywise story:

Pennywise is an adult, female loggerhead sea turtle who made national headlines in May when she had to be transported to Palm Beach Equine Clinic for diagnostic imaging because she was too large to fit inside a CT machine at Jupiter Medical Center. It was also discovered that Pennywise was full of eggs.

Weighing 302 pounds, Pennywise arrived at Loggerhead Marinelife Center on May 18 after she was found stranded and floating off the coast of Port St. Lucie by Inwater Research Group. She suffered significant blunt force trauma to her shell from a boat strike. LMC’s veterinary team treated Pennywise with antibiotics and wound care.

With sea turtle nesting season underway, releasing Pennywise to lay her eggs is a top priority.

For more information about his release, see marinelife.org. Call 561-627-8280. Donations accepted.