The turtle was named after the president because it was found ailing off a beach in Key West, Florida the day before Obama's inauguration. And keeping with the patriotic theme, the sea turtle was set free on the Fourth of July. Obama the loggerhead sea turtle was nursed back to health by taking in a diet of squid and mineral oil at a turtle hospital. Hospital officials say the turtle was set free Saturday as about 100 people watched. After being set on the sand, you might say the turtle hauled shell to get back in the ocean. Administrator Ryan Butts says the loggerhead swam away with "all the energy it had."
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)