8/19/10

Back to the Wild!

Yesterday was an extremely exciting day for the Rescue Team and our sea turtle patients! Six of our sea turtles (3 Kemp's ridley sea turtles and 3 green sea turtles) returned to the ocean on a beach on the south side of Cape Cod. We were joined by our sea turtle partners at Mass Audubon and the University of New England's Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center (UNE). UNE brought 12 of their own rehabilitated Kemp's ridley sea turtles making this one of our biggest release events.

After a short walk around the crowd, the turtle handlers lined up on the beach.


And then the turtles took off down the beach and into the water!

The picture on the left shows Tuzigoot (foreground) making his way towards the water. Tuzigoot was one of our most critical patients at one point. The picture on the right shows Kings Canyon, a Kemp's ridley turtle, with a satellite tag on his shell.


#22, Navajo, was a little slower than the others and needed a some help along the way.

We placed satellite tags on 3 green sea turtles and 1 Kemp's ridley. It is already exciting to see the transmissions. Visit seaturtle.org to track and adopt Navajo, Everglades, Fossil Butte and Kings Canyon!

#83, Fossil Butte, enters the water.

NECN was there to capture in the event. And take a look at this video to see what the turtles did after entering the water. Amazing footage from WCVB Channel 5!



It's difficult to describe what it takes to arrive at release day. First, without the teamwork, dedication and expertise of the staff and volunteers at Mass Audubon, the New England Aquarium and the University of New England, saving these endangered species would not be possible. Rescue efforts involve an army of beach walkers, turtle drivers, biologists, veterinarians, veterinary technicians and countless volunteers. We thank each and everyone involved in these efforts for their part in working to save a species.

~Kerry

3 comments:

  1. So exciting! I get a lump in my throat seeing how healthy and strong they are now!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Saw this on the news this morning — great work!

    ReplyDelete
  3. You have to feel great seeing them swim off like that and enjoying the big blue. Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete