Friday, February 22, 2019
By Kari Pugh on November 20, 2018
One of 14 sea turtles the North Carolina Aquariums STAR Center recently rehabilitated and helped return to the ocean this weekend. (Photo courtesy P. Gannon, via N.C. Aquariums)
The North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island helped 14 sea turtles reunite with the ocean Sunday.
Nine of the released turtles were Kemp’s ridleys transferred to the aquarium’s Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation Center, known as the STAR Center, to recover from cold-stunning in New England, the aquarium said in an Instagram post.
Three were yearling loggerheads that were educational animal ambassadors at the N.C. aquariums, along with a green sea turtle and a loggerhead that were rehabilitated at the STAR Center.
The turtles were taken north to Virginia Beach, where they hitched a ride out to warmer waters — 70 degrees, to be exact — with the crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Heron.
“Thanks to the Coast Guard and all of our partners, including the Network for Endangered Sea Turtles and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission for getting everything lined up for this successful release!” the aquarium posted.
“The Coast Guard is a humanitarian service,” said Lt. j.g. Jaime Brady, the commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Heron. “Not only do we rescue human lives, it is also our mission to protect the lives of marine animals. It was an honor to be a part of this sea turtle rehabilitation.”
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