On April 3, 2024, nearly three dozen sea turtles were released back into the ocean after months of rehabilitation efforts. The turtles were transported to Jekyll Island in Georgia by multiple marine conservation societies and aquariums. Sea turtles are known to wash up on various shores in the winter, specifically Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and certain New York areas, as ocean temperatures drop. Volunteers from Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary began patrolling the Cape Cod beaches for stranded turtles and transporting them back to the New England Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital. This past season was especially busy for the hospital, with nearly 400 sea turtles coming through their doors.
The New England Aquarium ran out of resources and space due to the high number of turtles, leading them to turn to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Service and Turtles Fly Too for help. Turtles Fly Too used volunteer pilots to transport the turtles to other rehabilitation centers such as the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, Mystic Aquarium, and the New York Marine Rescue Center. The turtles underwent four to five months of rehabilitation care for conditions like hypothermia, pneumonia, dehydration, and trauma. A total of 34 turtles were returned to the sea in Georgia with the help of six agencies and over a dozen staff members present at the release.
Of the sea turtles released, 33 were Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, and one was a green sea turtle. The director of rescue and rehabilitation at the New England Aquarium, Adam Kennedy, expressed the rewarding experience of watching the turtles they had nursed back to health thrive in the ocean. Additionally, the executive director of the New York Marine Rescue Center, Maxine Montello, mentioned her gratitude for the five Kemp’s ridley sea turtles that were rehabilitated in their facility and are now back in the ocean. The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society and the Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program also played a role in rehabilitating some of the turtles involved in the release.
Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are typically found in New England or the mid-Atlantic and weigh about 70 to 100 pounds as adults. They have a lifespan of around 30 years but face threats such as fishing gear, ocean pollution, and climate change. The release of the rehabilitated turtles back into the ocean marks a small victory in the efforts to conserve these endangered species. The work done by the various organizations involved in the rehabilitation and release of the turtles highlights the importance of collaborative efforts in protecting marine life. This successful release is a step forward in the ongoing battle to preserve sea turtles and raise awareness about the threats they face in their natural habitats.
Overall, the release of the rehabilitated sea turtles back into the ocean on April 3, 2024, was a significant milestone in the conservation efforts for these endangered species. The collaboration between multiple marine conservation societies, aquariums, and volunteer organizations played a crucial role in the successful rehabilitation and release of the sea turtles. The dedication and hard work of the staff and volunteers involved in caring for the turtles and preparing them for their return to the ocean are commendable. The release of the 34 turtles back into the sea not only marks a victory in their rehabilitation but also serves as a reminder of the importance of conservation efforts to protect marine life and preserve their natural habitats. The challenges faced by sea turtles, such as fishing gear, ocean pollution, and climate change, continue to threaten their existence, making it essential to continue these efforts to ensure the survival of these iconic creatures for future generations.
