POINT PLEASANT BEACH - Humphrey has gone home.

On Christmas Eve, Humphrey, an 88-pound loggerhead turtle, was found on a beach in Virginia in rough shape.

He was diagnosed with a severe respiratory infection and sent to Sea Turtle Recovery — a long-term care center inside Turtle Back Zoo in Essex County — to recuperate.

On Tuesday, 12-year-old Humphrey — now healthy — was ready to return to the wild.

WATCHDOGS OR TROUBLEMAKERS?:Mother, daughter duo rankles school board

He was released Tuesday morning outside Jenkinson’s Aquarium in Point Pleasant Beach. See video of Humphrey's return to the ocean above. For additional photos of the sea turtle, look in our gallery below.

“(Sea Turtle Recovery) has worked tirelessly to make sure we minimized our interaction while giving Humphrey the best care possible," said Bill Deerr, co-executive officer of the rehab center. "This sea turtle has remained wild and we have no doubt Humphrey will thrive upon release.”

Get to know Humphrey

Here's three things to know about Humphrey, according to Sea Turtle Recovery and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:

1. They don't know if Humphrey is a he or she

Loggerheads don't mature until they are 26 years old and genetic testing is cost prohibitive. As an adult, males will have tails that extend beyond their shell, while females will have short tails that don't stick out.

2. Humphrey is 62.4 centimeters long and weighs 88 pounds

Fully grown loggerheads will weigh about 250 pounds and be about 1 meter in length, so Humphrey still has a way to go.

3. His favorite food is squid and shrimp

Loggerheads got their name because of their large heads, which contain powerful jaws that can crush the shells of their prey, including whelks and conch.

TV star?

Humphrey's release was filmed for a segment on the TLC show "Cake Boss."

Cake Boss himself, Buddy Velastro, was there when the turtle was walked down to the tide's edge.

Velastro unveiled one of his trademark elaborate cakes modeled after Humphrey.

CLIMATE CHANGE:Can softening our coastline save us from storms, sea rise?

POOL FOR U:'Airbnb for pools' in Lakewood, Jackson faces legal, insurance questions

EXIT 91:New Garden State Parkway ramps in Brick opening

Russ Zimmer: 732-557-5748, razimmer@app.com