Gulfarium CARE Center releases sea turtles in first release of 2026

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. (WALA) - The Gulfarium Care Center held its first sea turtle release of the season this morning at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park.

More that 800 attendees were on hand for the release of several sea turtles that were patients at the care center, including Cheez-It, Crater, Galileo, Pipsqueak and Taki, officials said.

The turtles were treated for ailments ranging from illnesses to hook-and-line incidents.

The Gulfarium CARE Center has rescued and rehabilitated hundreds of sea turtles since 2015.

Anyone who encounters a sea turtle in distress should report it to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.