2023 Earth Day Turtle Release

Bette Zirkelbach, center left, manager of the Florida Keys-based Turtle Hospital, discusses the importance of keeping the world’s oceans clean with kids just before releasing two rehabilitated green sea turtles Saturday, April 22, 2023, at the Islander Resort in Islamorada. The release was a facet of Earth Day activities in the subtropical island chain. The two juvenile reptiles, named “Moe,” left, and “Larry,” were rescued last year and diagnosed with fibropapillomatosis, a tumor-causing disease that affects sea turtles worldwide. Treatment at the hospital included surgeries to remove the cauliflower-like tumors. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)

From left, Richie Moretti, Tom Higgins, Myrna Woodis and Bette Zirkelbach, all with the Florida Keys-based Turtle Hospital, release two rehabilitated green sea turtles off the Florida Keys, Saturday, April 22, 2023, in Islamorada, Fla. The release was a facet of Earth Day activities in the subtropical island chain. The two juvenile reptiles, named “Moe,” left, and “Larry,” were rescued last year and diagnosed with fibropapillomatosis, a tumor-causing disease that affects sea turtles worldwide. Treatment at the hospital included surgeries to remove the cauliflower-like tumors. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)