Wicker, the green turtle, swims back home to sea after Lido send-off

What’s in a name? Plenty for this turtle.

Wicker, a 13-inch green sea turtle, got his name after he stranded March 24, near the Wicker Inn. But on Friday, June 10, Mote Marine staff, interns and volunteers released Wicker off of Lido Beach as a crowd of 50 cheered him on in his return to sea. During its stay at Mote, Wicker underwent minor surgery to remove two papilloma tumors that can sometimes prevent turtles from seeing, swimming or eating normally and even cause death. But fortunately, Wicker’s return to the water went swimmingly well: He glided away immediately after he was placed in the sea.