Hundreds of turtles get second chance at life

Tropical systems washed turtles to shore

PONCE INLET, Fla. – Hundreds of baby turtles are being nursed back to health at the Marine Science Center in Volusia County after being washed back onto shore by tropical systems.

These turtles, nicknamed "washback" turtles, left their nests on the beach and swam almost 40 miles to the edge of the Gulf Stream. There, they find a seaweed line where they live and are supplied with food and shelter for the first few years of their lives.

Because of rough waters due to tropical systems surrounding Florida, like Hermine and Julia, many of the turtles drifted back to the beach where they started.

Volunteers called "washback watchers" took them to the sea turtle hospital where they are being rehabilitated and are expected to be released soon.

Because the turtles already made the 40-mile trek, the Marine Center will take them on a boat and drop them back in the seaweed line, where officials hope they will continue to grow.

The turtles currently weigh 30 grams, but will grow to be 300 pounds. 


About the Authors:

Candace Campos joined the News 6 weather team in 2015.

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