{"id":704889,"date":"2026-05-31T01:28:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-31T01:28:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/704889\/"},"modified":"2026-05-31T01:28:13","modified_gmt":"2026-05-31T01:28:13","slug":"watch-dramatic-sea-turtle-transformation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/704889\/","title":{"rendered":"WATCH: Dramatic sea turtle transformation"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a stranding coordinator at Florida\u2019s Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center, Sarah Kamen is no stranger to rescuing and rehabilitating sea turtles.<\/p>\n

But when a loggerhead sea turtle named \u201cChlorophyllis\u201d came under her care in late March, she realized right away that this was going to be a particularly tough case.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThis morning, we got a call about a sea turtle that had been accidentally hooked at one of the local fishing piers,\u201d Kamen shared in a TikTok video<\/a>. \u201cAs you can see, [she\u2019s] covered in lots of algae and barnacles.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

In addition to the growths on her shell, Chlorophyllis also had a hook in her mouth and an internal fragment seen on radiographs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cSea turtles that come into rehab looking like this really pull at our heart strings,\u201d Kamen added.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"AImage via Sarah Kamen \/ TikTok<\/p>\n

The stranding coordinator explained that thick algae grows on slow-moving sea turtles when they are sick and lethargic.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThis allows critters and algae to rapidly grow on its shell,\u201d she said. \u201cWhile removing the barnacles and algae is part of the rehab process, our first priority is the animal’s health. Barnacle removal and scrubbing of the shell can cause additional injury and pain to the turtle if done too soon in the healing process.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, for now,\u201d she added, \u201cwe prioritize feeding, dedicating, lots of rest, and lots of love.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"AImage via Sarah Kamen \/ TikTok<\/p>\n

After immediate medical attention and a daily diet of fish, Chlorophyllis was ready for her \u201cspa day\u201d roughly a month into her recovery.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe moment everyone has been waiting for is here!\u201d Kamen shared in a TikTok video<\/a> on April 23. \u201cChlorophyllis has gotten some of her spunk back and was ready for a much-needed spa day! After lots of close observation, we felt that she was strong enough to have those barnacles removed!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

In the video, Kamen showed the satisfying crunches and snaps of barnacle removal, as Chlorophyllis looked visibly relieved. After removing a barnacle on her chin, Kamen even gave her an affectionate \u201cboop\u201d on the nose.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile she still has a long way to go, small progress is a big win here at the center,\u201d Kamen said in the video\u2019s narration. \u201cI hope this is as satisfying for you to watch as it was for me to do.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

After another month of rehabilitation, Chlorophyllis had regained her strength, energy, and appetite and was ready for re-release.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

On May 22, Chlorophyllis was finally released back into the ocean, her flippers waving excitedly as she dove back into the warm waters, her shell gleaming in the sun.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo months in rehab and lots of fish snacks and medical care later, Phyllis was ready to make her new ocean debut,\u201d Kamen shared in a TikTok video caption<\/a>. \u201cShe\u2019s practically unrecognizable now \u2014 in the best way.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u200d<\/p>\n

You may also like: A sea turtle washed ashore with a stingray barb lodged in his tongue. After an incredible 8-month recovery, he’s returning to the ocean<\/a><\/p>\n

\u200d<\/p>\n

Header image via Rachael Partridge \/ TikTok<\/p>\n