Morgan, a resident sea turtle at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center from 2014 until being ordered removed last year, has returned and is now in the center's shipwreck aquarium, Boca Raton city officials announced on Jan. 10. Photo provided
VIDEO: Morgan back home
By Mary Hladky
Morgan, one of Gumbo Limbo’s resident sea turtles who state officials ordered to be removed last year, has returned to the nature center.
City officials announced Morgan’s return from a prolonged stay at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach on Jan. 10. But as of that date, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission had not made a decision on the return of Cane, the other resident sea turtle that was moved to another center.
The FWC ordered the city to remove Morgan and Cane in March after the city fired its sea rehabilitation coordinator and assistant coordinator.
The terminations came as part of a transfer of the care of the turtles from the city to the nonprofit Coastal Stewards. The nonprofit has since hired a veterinarian and a rescue and rehabilitation coordinator and applied for an FWC permit to resume giving turtles medical care.
Morgan came to Gumbo Limbo after being rescued in 2014. She was hit by a boat and her injuries caused her to be partially paralyzed in her rear flippers. As a result, she cannot be released into the wild.
The nature center is open Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Monday from noon to 4 p.m. The facility’s nature trails are open Monday-Sunday from 7 a.m. to sunset. Admission is free, although visitors can make donations.
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