Sea turtle with feet pulled out after amputation in Florida hospital, called Dilly Dally crawled back to the ocean

Rescue sea turtles

Rescue sea turtles 08:11

A teen log dog turtle named Dilly Dally crawled into the Atlantic Ocean Wednesday morning and a few months later, he had an amputation of the front clamp at the Florida Turtle Hospital.

In January, the tortoise was taken to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center and suffered from a predator wound. The veterinarian at the Juno Beach facility assists Dilly Dally's rehabilitation and care.

"Every time we can release the turtles back into the wild, not only for us, but for all the interns and volunteers, and for everyone who is working to get these turtles back there. It's always a very special day," said Marika Weber, a center veterinary technician.

Turtle release
A pubertal Loggerhead turtle named Dilly-Dally, whose forefoot was amputated after being rescued from a predator wound in January, was released on the beach in front of Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, Florida, where she crawled into the water and leaned towards the water. Rebecca Blackwell/AP

Dilly Dally's release was almost delayed by the stormy weather Wednesday. But they packed the turtles and drove to the beach for a short distance. A group of tourists cheered as the turtle leads to the ocean.

CBS affiliate WPEC reported that the video showed Dilly Dally being taken to the climax ocean. With only three fins, you can see the turtle entering the ocean before it disappears.

The satellite tracking device on Dilly Dally's shell will enable the center and the public to follow her journey.

Turtle release
A pubertal Loggerhead turtle named Dilly-dally, whose forefoot was amputated after being rescued from a predator wound in January, crawled toward the Atlantic Ocean after being released on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at the beach at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juneau Beach, Florida. Rebecca Blackwell/AP

The center worked with the Smithsonian to get the satellite tag that came with Tuesday.

“So now Dilly Dally has an active live satellite tag on her and we can get real-time data about where she is going, which is really exciting because we really don’t know what will happen once you release three flip-haired turtles, Weber said. “Now, we know if their migration or foraging patterns will change and it really helps to see what will happen to these patients.” ”

All turtles are endangered or threatened species.

“So every turtle we can save and restore there is a victory for the species.”

The public can follow Dilly Dally's journey at Marinelife Turtle Tracker.

Turtle release
A Loggerhead turtle named Dilly-Dally whose forefoot fin suffered amputation from a predator wound in January, crawling into the ocean in the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juneau Beach, Florida on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. Rebecca Blackwell/AP