Florida Volunteers Save 172-Pound Sea Turtle Named Bowser

Eight men gripped a rescue rope on Florida's longest fishing pier and hoisted a 172-pound sea turtle to safety, proving that when humans work together, wildlife wins.

The dramatic rescue happened on June 7 at Navarre Beach Fishing Pier when a male loggerhead turtle, later named Bowser, got snagged by a fishing hook near his left front flipper. Within 25 minutes, trained volunteers from the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center guided him into a rescue net and loaded him onto a UTV for transport.

Bowser thrashed during the ride to the rescue facility. Volunteer Cheri Dexter celebrated his fighting spirit as a positive sign of strength and survival instinct.

The rescue team transferred Bowser to the Gulfarium CARE Center in Fort Walton Beach. Veterinarians removed one fishing hook from his front flipper and discovered two more lodged in his esophagus, including one from a previous encounter.

Vets plan a creative solution to remove the hooks without invasive surgery. They'll feed Bowser cotton balls soaked in mineral oil alongside his regular fish diet, creating a protective barrier around the hooks so they can pass safely through his system.

The Ripple Effect

Bowser represents just one success story in a growing movement to protect sea turtles along Florida's Gulf Coast. The Navarre Beach pier has become the state's most active site for turtle entanglements, with 26 rescues already recorded there in 2026 and 59 throughout 2025.

Scott and Cheri Dexter lead a dedicated team of 26 state-certified volunteers who rotate between morning and evening shifts when sea turtles are most active. Scott even designed and built the specialized hoist system that makes these dramatic pier rescues possible.

The volunteers' quick response and training make all the difference. Their ability to safely lift a 172-pound animal some 35 feet above the Gulf of Mexico requires both skill and teamwork that comes from years of practice.

The Gulfarium CARE Center is currently treating 31 turtles from across the Florida Panhandle and neighboring Alabama. Each rescue represents countless volunteer hours and a community committed to protecting these ancient mariners.

Bowser's recovery journey shows how dedicated people can turn a life-threatening situation into a second chance at survival.