Long Distance Swimmer Helps Sea Turtle Return To The Ocean
MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- A long distance swimmer helped to bid farewell to an endangered green sea turtle who was released back into Florida waters on Thursday, May 15.
The 7-pound turtle named Pearl was released at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne.
It was rescued back in December 7, 2013 from the Bal Harbor area. It was found dehydrated, lethargic and with parasites.
After several months of medical care at Miami Seaquarium, Pearl was fully recovered and ready to go back to the ocean.
Long-distance swimmer Ben Lecomte helped release Pearl back into the wild.
His involvement in Pearl's release was part of his North American awareness raising tour for his upcoming long distance swim across the Pacific.
Lecomte is set to swim from Tokyo to San Francisco in late 2014.
If he does complete the feat, he would be the first person to have done the swim.
Lecomte's presence at the release and his planned swim are also meant to highlight the plight of endangered sea turtles.
