A loggerhead sea turtle treated at the Brevard Zoo died last week after ingesting discarded fishing gear, according to zoo officials. The turtle was found with fishing line and hooks in its digestive tract, which led to its death despite veterinary efforts. The incident has renewed focus on the impact of marine debris on wildlife in Brevard County.
Zoo officials said the turtle was among several injured sea turtles treated at the facility this year. Shannon Gann, a zoo representative, told WESH news that fishing piers are a common source of these injuries. Bait falling into the water from piers can attract turtles, increasing their risk of entanglement or ingestion of fishing materials.
Another loggerhead turtle recently treated at the zoo had a flipper entangled in fishing line. The medical team removed the affected flipper, and officials said the turtle is expected to recover and be released back into the ocean. Gann emphasized that such injuries are preventable with proper disposal of fishing gear.
The Brevard Zoo has treated multiple sea turtles over the years with similar injuries. In 2025, the zoo reported treating 18 sea turtles for fishing-related injuries, a 20% increase from the previous year. Local conservation groups are urging anglers to use biodegradable fishing line and properly dispose of gear to reduce harm to marine life.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said it has seen a rise in reports of entangled sea turtles along the Space Coast in recent years. Officials recommend that anglers check fishing lines regularly and use dehookers to minimize the risk of injury to wildlife.