Abandoned Fishing Gear Causes Deaths of Two Loggerhead Sea Turtles at Brevard Zoo, One Recovers
Two loggerhead sea turtles, Sophia and Liberty, have died at the East Coast Zoological Foundation’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center at Brevard Zoo due to severe injuries caused by abandoned fishing gear. A third turtle, Falafel, is making "guarded progress" after undergoing a flipper amputation. Sophia, a 140-pound loggerhead, arrived in May with a fishing line and hook in her mouth and 18 more hooks in her digestive tract, believed to be from frequently ingesting discarded fishing snacks. Despite efforts by the Brevard Zoo and an Orlando Health Melbourne Hospital gastroenterologist, Sophia's gastrointestinal tract was irreparably damaged, leading to her humane euthanasia. Liberty, a 210-pound adult with eggs, was admitted during Fourth of July weekend with braided fishing line wrapped around her neck and front flippers, which also entangled a dead turtle. The damage to Liberty's flippers was too extensive for her to return to the ocean, resulting in her euthanasia. Falafel, found with fishing line constr... 
