TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (WTOC) – For three years, a tiny turtle with a massive mission has captured the hearts of everyone who walked through the doors of the Tybee Island Marine Science Center. Soon, those visitors will have to say a bittersweet goodbye.
On Saturday, Sept. 26, the loggerhead sea turtle known affectionately as “Ossie” will slide into the surf at Tybee’s North Beach, tasting the open ocean for the very first time.
It is a milestone that once seemed impossible. When Ossie was rescued as a fragile hatchling on Ossabaw Island three summers ago, they weighed just 22 grams—less than a single slice of bread. Under the devoted care of the center’s team, the turtle grew strong, healthy, and resilient, now weighing a robust 36 pounds.
Along the way, Ossie became more than just a patient; they became a local celebrity and a passionate “Marine Debris Ambassador,” inspiring thousands of visitors to protect marine life by keeping beaches clean.
“Watching Ossie grow from a tiny hatchling who could fit in the palm of my hand into a large turtle has been such a rewarding experience,” said Sarah Alley, TIMSC wildlife biologist and senior curator. “Knowing that Ossie has taught so many people from all walks of life about the importance of keeping our oceans clean makes all the work completely worth it.”
Now, the lowcountry community is invited to gather on the sand to witness the final chapter of Ossie’s rescue journey.
OSSIE’S SEND-OFF DETAILS:
To make the send-off even more special, Ossie isn’t going alone. Thanks to the determination of 12-year-old local activist and author Liddy Clever, who raised funds through her organization Sea Life with Liddy, Ossie will be fitted with a satellite tracker.
The tracker will allow the community and researchers to follow along online as Ossie explores the vast blue world they were always meant to live in.
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