This week, Jekyll Island saw the largest release of rehabilitated sea turtles in the island’s recorded history.
On the island’s South Beach, the sky cleared just in time to transport and release 33 Kemp’s ridley sea turtles — plus one green sea turtle — flown in from New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Both species are endangered.
In a flurry of activity, the turtles were transported from light aircraft into vans and down to the beach, where they were placed on the sand in groups of four.
(Credit: Sofi Gratas/GPB News)
Every year when water in the North Atlantic becomes too cold, many turtles are stunned, disoriented and wash up onshore.
After spending time in rehabilitation facilities in the Northeast, they’re ready to hit the waters here, which are warm enough this time of year for turtles to thrive.
(Credit: Sofi Gratas/GPB News)
Along with Jekyll Island’s Georgia Sea Turtle Center, volunteers came from the New England Aquarium, Mystic Aquarium, Atlantic Marine Conservation Society and New York Marine Rescue Center to help with the release.
Terry Carbonell is a pilot with Turtles Fly Too, an organization that shuttles sea turtles all over the country for events like this. During the day’s event, she helped two turtles into the ocean.
“It’s just so amazing,” Carbonell said. “I’ve flown them. You’ve seen them sick, and now, that one especially, was just so healthy he was ready to go.”
(Credit: Sofi Gratas/GPB News)
“We try not to get attached, obviously,” Rehabilitation Manager Rachel Overmeyer said. “But releases are just so special because it’s what we put our blood, sweat and tears into. … Today’s release went really well.”
A transponder under each of the turtles’ skin ensures the groups on Jekyll can help them in case they’re caught or stranded again.
This article comes to Now Habersham through a partnership with GPB News
