The Brevard Zoo released two loggerhead sea turtles into the ocean on Nov. 23: Phyllis and Debbi.

Both turtles were found debilitated and extremely underweight.  Phyllis was found on Aug. 9 and Debbi was found on Sept. 4.  Phyllis was found lethargic, with barnacles on her shell and a tumor on its face.  Debbi was infested with parasites and had been lacerated by many hooks.

“I thought it was nice to see the turtles fully healed,” said junior Arya Jathal.  “Poor things must have been in so much pain living with a tumor and being all cut up.”

Loggerhead sea turtles are known to be one of the biggest breeds of turtles.  They range from 250 to 300 pounds and average three feet in length.

“It is awesome to see that animals in that kind of condition are able to recover so well,”  eighth-grader Maddon V. said. “I wasn’t able to show up to the release, but I still feel as if it was an amazing experience and that it is an amazing thing that they did.”

By Adrian Mahindra

Editor’s note: Brevard Public Schools policy prohibits the inclusion of middle-schoolers’ last names on district-sponsored websites.