BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The Brevard Zoo released its largest green sea turtle last month, weighing 374 pounds.

After two weeks of rehabilitation, Jolene was released at Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach on Friday, July 28. 

Jolene, a pregnant sea turtle, came to the Healing Center on July 7 after being found with a commercial fishing line wrapped around her neck and front flippers.

She received significant cuts under her left flipper and around her neck, which were cleaned; and a medical-grade fish-skin graft was placed over some of the left flipper cuts to help them heal.

Zoo officials said she laid about 80 eggs, which were given to the University of Central Florida Marine Turtle Research Group to be placed in a hand-dug chamber on the beach and monitored for development, officials said.

The zoo is reminding people to pack fishing gear before and after use, and to place unwanted fishing line in the designated bins at waterfront parks. Officials say if you find a turtle wrapped with line, do not remove the line unless it’s impeding the turtle's ability to breathe.

If you find a sea turtle that appears to be in distress, contact Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 888-404-3922. People can also call the Sea Turtle Preservation Society at 321-206-0646.