Sea turtle wounded in spear attack released back into ocean

KEY WEST, Fla. – A federally protected green sea turtle was released in the Florida Keys after recovering from a spear that was shot into its neck.

The 150-pound female, dubbed Splinter, returned to the Atlantic Ocean on Friday at Higgs Beach in Key West.

The turtle was rescued off Key Largo Sept. 7 entangled in a commercial fishing trap line. The reptile was transported to the Middle Keys-based Turtle Hospital in Marathon, where a veterinarian surgically removed the 3-foot-long spear.

Hospital personnel also provided additional treatment, which included wound care, broad-spectrum antibiotics and a diet of natural sea grass, green vegetables and seafood.

Several Florida Keys businesses have joined with the hospital to pledge a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever speared the turtle.