Nutella's Journey to Recovery
In December, a small green sea turtle named Nutella was rescued near Key Largo, Florida. She arrived at The Turtle Hospital in Marathon tangled in fishing line. She also had many tumors on her body and eyes.
The team found more fishing line inside her stomach. Bette Zirkelbach, the hospital manager, was worried. She said she didn't think Nutella would survive. The fishing line had almost caused Nutella to lose a flipper.
A Team Effort Saves a Life
Despite her condition, the hospital team acted quickly. Surgeons removed Nutella's tumors in two operations. They used laser therapy and honey to help her flipper recover. In her first few weeks, Nutella also passed the fishing line she had swallowed.
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Start Your News DetoxGreen sea turtles like Nutella are a symbol of successful conservation. In October 2025, they were reclassified as "least concern" by the IUCN. This happened after forty years on the endangered species list.
Bryan Wallace, a sea turtle expert, noted that consistent hard work pays off. He said that when people do the right things, conservation works.
A Return to the Ocean
On Earth Day, April 22, Nutella returned to the ocean. She had recovered for four months. Over 200 people cheered as she was released from Sombrero Beach into the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Zirkelbach found the moment very emotional. She connected it to a recent global event. She mentioned astronauts seeing "one living planet" from space. This reminded her that everyone is connected. She said it was important to remember this on Earth Day.
