World Turtle Day Brings Hope to the Shores of Key West

FLORIDA KEYS VIDEO ADVISORY  May 23, 2026 

Contacts: Chad Newman, Chad@fla-keys.com (310) 283-8441 or Mary B. Haban, Mary@fla-keys.com (305) 394-3142 

Story: World Turtle Day Brings Hope to the Shores of Key West 

Locator: Key West, Fla. 

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Video: B-roll of Lily J, the juvenile green sea turtle, being released on World Turtle Day on Higgs Beach in Key West, Fla. SOTs with Bette Zirkelbach, General Manager of the Turtle Hospital and Key West Resident, Stephanie Wise. 

Technical Data: 

    TRT: 2:37 

    Filename: KeysWorldTurtleDay.mp4 

    Audio: Nat. Sound - Stereo Mix 

    SOTs: Clean / Isolated 

    B-Roll: Nat. Sound 

    Credit: Florida Keys News Bureau (Screen credit appreciated, not mandatory) 

World Turtle Day Brings Hope to the Shores of Key West  

KEY WEST, Fla. (May 23, 2026) — A heartwarming story unfolded in the Florida Keys this World Turtle Day, as a juvenile green sea turtle named Lily J returned home after surviving a devastating boat strike. 

Back in February, Key West resident Stephanie Wise and her partner were taking a walk along Truman Waterfront Park when just before sunset, they noticed something wasn’t right. 

A young turtle who was struggling to stay underwater crossed their path.  

"She'd get down for a little bit and then pop right back up again and just looked exhausted,” recalls Wise. 

The couple immediately called the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida. And because the turtle was stranded in protected waters, got a helping hand from the Coast Guard who quickly arrived in to help. 

"Everybody on the boat looked so excited to be a part of it. And they scooped her up, put her in the boat, and the whole seawall cheered. It was cool,” exclaimed Wise.  

The turtle, later named Lily J by both Wise and the Coast Guard, arrived at the Turtle Hospital suffering from a severe propeller strike and buoyancy issues that left her unable to dive. But thanks to the exceptional care she received at the Turtle Hospital, Lily J was able to recover and be released on World Turtle Day.  

"Every day at the Turtle Hospital is turtle day, but on World Turtle Day, the whole globe takes notice of sea turtles. So, what a perfect day to return Lily Jay to her ocean home," said Bette Zirkelbach, General Manager of the Turtle Hospital. 

For Wise, following Lily J’s journey from rescue to release became something deeply personal — a connection she says she’ll never forget. 

"I think being a rescuer really made it extremely personal, and I was very, very connected to the whole process,” she said. "We've lived in Key West for almost eight years, and this was the coolest thing we have ever been a part of. It was really incredible to get to watch her go home."  

As summer boating season begins across the Florida Keys, Lily J’s story is also serving as a reminder that these waters are shared with incredible marine life fighting to survive. Sea turtles, dolphins, and manatees all surface for air — and rescuers say staying alert on the water can save lives. 

"It's so important as boaters that enjoy the water to keep your eyes out for marine life,” said Zirkelbach. “Sea turtles, manatees, dolphins...they all breathe air like we do, so they have to surface for a breath. Sometimes that's unfortunate timing with a prop, like with Lily Jay. So, it's important to wear polarized glasses, be on the bow of the boat looking out for that marine life, and go slow, especially in the shallows because there's nowhere for those animals to get away."  

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Miraculous moment! Hundreds gathered along the shoreline at Higgs Beach in Key West, Florida as Lily J, a juvenile green sea turtle rescued after a devastating boat strike, made her emotional return to the Atlantic Ocean on Saturday, May 23, 2026. The World Turtle Day release, led by the Turtle Hospital’s General Manager, Bette Zirkelbach (left) celebrated not only Lily J’s remarkable recovery but also the community effort that helped save her life.(Mark Funkhouser/Florida Keys News Bureau)