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On August 22, 2025, two loggerhead sea turtles were brought into Florida’s Loggerhead Marinelife Center in critical condition.
“Meet our new patients, Paddles and Swim Shady!” the rescue and rehabilitation clinic shared on social media.
“These two female loggerheads came in after suffering from boat strike-related injuries,” the post continued. “We need help from local boaters to ‘go slow for those below’ in the voluntary Sea Turtle Protection Zone — up to 1 mile offshore — to prevent these types of injuries.”
According to Loggerhead Marinelife Center, the “Eminem-inspired name” was chosen in a contest held by Pacsafe, a travel brand that sponsored Swim Shady and Paddles’ care.
Early on, it was clear that Swim Shady needed surgery to remove the loose piece of carapace on her shell. But first, she had to recover from anemia and build up her strength.
After she had the shell surgery, she continued healing through antibiotics and supportive care.
On October 22 last year, the Loggerhead Marinelife Center team noticed that one of her eyes “had an almost opaque discoloration.”
“[It] could mean possible scarring or damage to the eye that may be impairing her vision,” the center explained in a Facebook post. “During her exam, we applied a fluorescent dye, Fluorescein, to help us determine if she had corneal ulcers … Just a little optical flow for the real Swim Shady.”
Luckily, she passed the exam with flying colors. And 73 days after she arrived in critical condition, Swim Shady was finally cleared for release.
On November 3, Loggerhead Marinelife Center celebrated Swim Shady’s ocean release in a post that cheekily referenced the 2002 Eminem hit, “Without Me.”
“Guess who's back? Back again,” they wrote in the caption for her release video. “Swim Shady's back in the ocean after three months at our Center recovering from a boat strike! Thank you, Pacsafe, for helping Swim Shady return to her ocean home!”
Although Paddles required slightly more intensive care, the second rescued sea turtle was soon able to join Swim Shady in the Atlantic Ocean when she was released 10 days later on November 13.
“Her care required surgical bone plates, including a deep debridement, to stabilize and get it back into place while it healed,” a Loggerhead Marinelife Center team member shared on Facebook. “So today, after two months of rehab, we are excited to release Paddles!”
Many people commented with their well-wishes.
“Have a good life, Paddles!” one person wrote.
“Safe ‘paddling,’ gorgeous,” said another.
“Thank goodness for super kindness from humans who care and give of themselves,” one comment praised. “Bravo!
Header image via Loggerhead Marinelife Center
