TAMPA, Fla. – In 2016, The Florida Aquarium’s animal care team took in Banner, a threatened green sea turtle. After four years of rehabilitation and care, Banner has successfully made the 600-mile trek up the Gulf coast to his new home at Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport, MS. In coordination with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Banner was found stranded in Brevard County, after suffering a serious boat strike injury.
The Florida Aquarium’s team of animal care and veterinarians spent several months nursing the turtle back to good health and provided him with expectational care; however, after a rigorous evaluation, FWC determined Banner non-releasable due to the severity of his injuries. Mississippi Aquarium has now received Banner and will provide him with the critical care and support he requires to live a safe and healthy life.
“From the first day Banner arrived, he connected with our staff and our guests, and his story of tragedy to triumph is one we too often have to tell,” said Rachel Thomas, sea turtle biologist The Florida Aquarium, who has cared for Banner for the past year. “The Florida Aquarium is dedicated to saving wildlife, especially endangered sea turtles like Banner, and while we are sad to see him go, we are proud to know we were able to give Banner a second chance at life and are excited to see him thrive at his new aquarium home.”
In 2019, The Florida Aquarium opened its $4M Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center and continues to work closely with FWC on saving sea turtles from Florida waters up through the Northeastern seaboard. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission manages all sea turtle rescues, permits, returns to the wild and placements in coordination with essential partners like The Florida Aquarium and Mississippi Aquarium.
“This turtle’s story exemplifies the wide and diverse network of partners critical to conserving these amazing animals. Everyone came together – from members of the public who reported the injured turtle, to volunteers who recovered and transported him, to the expert veterinary staff at the Florida Aquarium who provided treatment. While this turtle’s story may not end with a return to the wild, Mississippi Aquarium’s commitment to provide a home for him will allow him to serve as an ambassador for sea turtle conservation,” said FWC sea turtle biologist, Meghan Koperski.
Banner now resides in a 400,000-gallon habitat featuring a sand tiger shark, cownose rays, a moray eel, pufferfish and more. The Aquarium, opened on August 29.
“We are excited to work with our partner, The Florida Aquarium to give animals, like Banner, a home. Mississippi is considered a critical habitat for the endangered sea turtles, and our scientists are already out in the field studying the species to make sure they have what they need for their long term survival. We look forward to Banner helping educate our community about the importance of protecting their habitats,” said Dr. Holley Muraco, Director of Research.
All care and turtle rehabilitation by The Florida Aquarium is done with the approval of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) under conditions not harmful to marine turtles and authorized under conservation activities pursuant to FWC MTP-19-179.