Clearwater Marine Aquarium Releases Two Sea Turtles

volunteers and staff will release two rehabilitated turtles back into the wild at Honeymoon Island Monday.

Fiji, a green sea turtle, and Rebel, an endangered Kemps Ridley, are the 13th and 14th turtles released by the aquarium this year.

Fiji a young green sea turtle was brought to the aquarium after suffering from "cold stun" December 2010. Cold stun is a condition that happens to sea turtles when they can't adapt to a fast drop in water temperature. The quick change affects their metabolism. Fiji also had moderate fibropapilloma tumors, which grow on a turtle’s skin and can infect small parts of its body. Death can occur if not treated in time.

"After two surgeries and nearly a year-long rehabilitation at CMA, she is healthy and has been deemed releasable," said Krista Rosado, spokeswoman for the aquarium.

Rebel, a young Kemps Ridley, was found injured in the Egmont Key shipping channel in May. She had massive boat strike wounds on the left part of her shell and flipper. Rebel's flipper was in such bad condition it had to be removed. Dr. Jay Coisman, a surgical resident at the University of Florida School of Veterinary Medicine, amputated the left flipper.

"Rebel has healed well and quickly and is ready to be released," Rosado said.

The Kemp's Ridley sea turtle is one of the most endangered in the world.

The turtles will be released at 10 a.m. at , 1 Causeway Blvd.