TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. — A green sea turtle that was found more than a mile from the ocean last November is making its way home, The Florida Aquarium officials announced Wednesday.

After three months of rehabilitation at The Florida Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center in Apollo Beach, team members returned the sea turtle, named Buckley, to the Gulf’s waters.

“This is why we do what we do — to see a once-struggling sea turtle like Buckley return home, stronger and healthier. It’s heartwarming,” said Ashley Riese, The Florida Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Conservation Program Director. “Buckley’s recovery is a testament to the incredible collaboration between rescuers, the Aquarium’s animal care team, veterinarians, and our entire community.”

Buckley’s rescue began when Good Samaritans discovered the turtle in trouble on a dirt road in rural Dixie County in November, a good distance away from the ocean. A call to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Hotline set lifesaving efforts in motion.

The University of Florida Marine Animal Rescue had initially responded, stabilizing Buckley, before transferring the turtle to The Florida Aquarium for treatment. For the past three months, the aquarium’s staff helped the turtle regain weight, stabilize low blood sugar levels and heal scratches to its bottom shell from navigating rough terrain.

Buckley, named after the nearby Buck Creek, has garnered community support, especially from local businessman Ed Buckley, a marine conservation advocate who wanted to help after discovering Buckley’s name.

"When I heard they rescued a turtle with my same name, I knew I had to get involved," he said. “There’s a strong connection between Buckley and me — maybe it’s the name, maybe it’s kindred spirits — but one thing I do know is that protecting sea turtles is important. Their survival depends on all of us stepping up and hope the community will be compelled to help as well.”

Ed donated $7,500 to underwrite the turtle’s medical expenses and encouraged others to contribute to support Buckley’s care, which has topped $10,000.

Buckley embarks on a new journey with a satellite tag attached to its shell. This allows the community and biologists to track Buckley’s travels and gather conservation data.

Each time Buckley surfaces to breathe, the tag will send a signal to a satellite, enabling real-time tracking of feeding habits, migratory patterns and environmental conditions like water temperatures. This will help scientists at The Florida Aquarium better understand sea turtle behaviors and improve future sea turtle rehabilitation efforts.