DOUBLE sea turtle release at Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach
December 9, 2025 – (from Brevard Zoo and Bowen Aquarium)
Bowen Aquarium invites you to a special, private DOUBLE sea turtle release at Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach this Wednesday, December 10 at 11:00 a.m.
Both sea turtles will enter the water promptly at 11:00 a.m., so we encourage you to plan to arrive around 10:30 a.m. to ensure plenty of time to gather on the beach and walk to the release point. This release celebrates the recovery of two very special patients from our Sea Turtle Healing Center: Cassiopeia and Cheyenne.
About Cassiopeia
Named after a species of jellyfish—fittingly discovered on Leatherback Day during World Sea Turtle Week—Cassiopeia came to us after being found near Jetty Park Pier in Port Canaveral (which is very close to the new Aquarium site). She arrived debilitated, slightly emaciated, and lethargic, with superficial wounds and a moderate barnacle burden on her skin, carapace, and plastron.
During her stay, Cassiopeia received supportive care including rest, nutrition, and treatments to prevent infection, anemia, and GI gas. She also experienced—and recovered from—some buoyancy issues. Cassiopeia quickly won the team over with her personality. She loves to scratch her itchy spots throughout the day, is often seen foraging naturally in her tank, and spends her free time peering through her window at neighbors Jiminy Cricket and Tajín in the next habitat over.
About Cheyenne
Cheyenne, a petite juvenile green sea turtle with a beautifully light brown carapace, came to us about a month ago after washing ashore dazed with no visible wounds—only blue paint on her head and body. While initially puzzling, our team now believes she may have suffered a head injury from a boat strike. After receiving a diuretic to help reduce suspected brain swelling, she began to show more typical sea-turtle behaviors.
Cheyenne’s recovery was remarkably quick: just seven weeks, compared to the several months usually required for non-fibropapilloma patients. At only 24.2 cm, she’s much smaller than our usual juvenile intakes—but she has an outsized fan club among our care team.
We would be honored for you to join us – and bring a friend or two – as we return these two resilient patients back to the ocean. Your leadership and commitment to the Bowen Aquarium make moments like this possible.
