In an effort to address the continued threats against sea turtles – a species that has been clawing its way back from the brink – Jacksonville University has introduced a new Sea Turtle Program in partnership with Mickler’s Landing Turtle Patrol. The program, according to Action News Jax, focuses on research, education, and community engagement to aid in the conservation of Florida's marine life and their coastal habitats.
Lucas Meers is at the helm as Director of the new program, bringing over a decade of experience in marine conservation to the table. "This is a homecoming for me," Meers expressed in a release picked up by News4Jax. Hailing from Jacksonville University's Marine Science Research Institute, he cut his teeth in conservation, starting as a volunteer with the Turtle Patrol before moving up the ranks. At Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Meers helped shape its wildlife conservation strategy, setting the stage for his current leadership role. "This program is about more than research and data collection — it’s about empowering students and our community to protect a vital part of Florida’s ecosystem," he said.
World Sea Turtle Day also finds Disney's The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT celebrating significant achievements in sea turtle rehabilitation. Over the past decades, they've managed to nurse more than 350 sea turtles back to health. The facility recently welcomed three cold-stunned turtles who have been given a second chance at life after a brush with hypothermia. According to an employee story featured on Disney's LifeAtDisney, the turtles, named Bond, Little Foot, and Thunder, required extensive care to recover fully.
Bond, a juvenile green sea turtle, stood out with more severe health complications, including pneumonia. A dedicated team of aquarists and veterinarians devised an intricate care plan, and after an intense recovery, Bond was released near St. Augustine.
