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Andre the ‘miracle turtle’ returns to the sea after being struck by boats

After a year of surgeries and rehabilitation, Andre the turtle has gone home.

Called "the miracle turtle" by many, the 177-pound green sea turtle was found on a sandbar last June, his shell split open after two apparent boat strikes. With three pounds of sand inside him, a collapsed lung, pneumonia and an exposed spinal cord among his injuries, his outlook was dire.

A 13-month recovery effort that included a vacuum therapy system, braces on his shell, and procedures usually used on cancer patients to regrow breast and abdominal tissue ultimately saved his life.

"He has overcome obstacles, predators, food scarcities, cold winters — any number of things that may have ended his life — and he has survived," said Dr. Nancy Mettee, a veterinarian at Loggerhead Marinelife Center. "He's really a miracle turtle."

On Wednesday, hundreds gathered on a Florida beach to cheer on Andre as he returned to the Atlantic.

Green sea turtles are endangered, with very few of those hatched surviving to adulthood. Andre is thought to be about 25. The hope is his release into the wild will result in perpetuating his species.

"Go out and live long and prosper and have lots of babies," science teacher Aaron Lichtig encouraged Andre. Lichtig was among those who first spotted the wounded turtle and brought him to shore.

Andre's progress had been closely followed by his fans across the world. His fan page offered a 24-hour webcam. More than 200 people sponsored his recovery as honorary adoptive parents. Children sent his fan mail.

One child summed up the well wishes of Andre's supporters with a simple note: "Good luck, have a safe trip."