A sea turtle made its way home Tuesday evening after spending time at the Brevard Zoo’s Sea Turtle Healing Center.
Merriam, a subadult male loggerhead sea turtle, was released at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Hightower Beach Park in Satellite Beach after being admitted into the zoo's care on Oct. 16, 2016.
Experts say Merriam was found floating sideways in the water with barnacles, algae and an open wound on his shell, which indicated a severe body cavity infection. Staff and volunteers treated the turtle with fluids, antibiotics, vitamins and nutritious food and applied honey to his wound.
Dozens saw Merriam off on Tuesday.