375-pound great-grandfather sea turtle released back into Florida ocean after rehabilitation

A sea turtle has returned to the ocean off the coast of Florida after recovering from several serious injuries.

Bubba is a 375-pound sea turtle that was found by biologists with Inwater Research in St. Lucie County, Florida, on April 10.

Biologists noticed that the large animal had injuries to both front flippers, so they stepped in to help.

After using a crane to lift him out of the water and into the back of a truck, Bubba was brought to Brevard Zoo’s Sea Turtle Recovery Center in Melbourne, Florida, the center told Fox News Digital.

At the rehabilitation center, it took seven volunteers to remove Bubba’s large presence from the truck and into the facility.

A preliminary exam confirmed that Bubba’s front flippers were injured, likely from an attack, and that he needed treatment as soon as possible.

He also had an intense infestation of sea leeches, which caused the sea turtle to become anemic, according to the Brevard Zoo.

Although Bubba was Brevard Zoo’s first adult male patient, they determined he was somewhere between 60 and 75 years old — and likely a great-grandfather.

A spokesperson for the Brevard Zoo told Fox News Digital that Bubba went through an intensive rehabilitation process.

“In addition to antibiotics and good nutrition, the 375-pound Bubba received regular wound cleanings along with cold laser therapy on his front flippers,” the spokesperson said.

“Our Healing Center team’s goal is to release all of our sea turtle patients back into the ocean, which was especially important for Bubba, who is a reproductive male.”

After three months of rehabilitation, Bubba finally returned to the water on Wednesday, July 10, with 300 bystanders cheering him on.

Brevard Zoo Sea Turtle Recovery Center Manager Shanon Gann told Fox News Digital that this may have been their most watched release ever.

“Being able to share with the community what the Brevard Zoo Sea Turtle Healing Center does is a blessing,” she said.

She added, “Bubba’s release was extra special because we know he’s a breeding male and we’re currently in nesting season.”

Gann said the zoo’s veterinary staff is on call 12 hours a day, 365 days a year to “help sick and injured sea turtles,” and that she was thrilled to see so many people show up for Bubba’s release .

The Brevard Zoo opened its doors to the public in March 1994.

Since then, it has had a mission to care for animals, connect visitors to the natural world, educate diverse audiences, inspire the community and achieve conservation outcomes, the zoo said.