OCEAN CITY, Md. (WBFF) — Hundreds of spectators gathered in Ocean City on Thursday morning to watch nine rehabilitated sea turtles make their long-awaited return to the Atlantic Ocean, marking another successful rescue and rehabilitation season for the National Aquarium.
The public release took place on June 18 at the 40th Street beach access, where Aquarium staff, volunteers and community members cheered as the turtles slowly made their way back into the surf after months of care.
The turtles—named St. Paul, Fells Point, Glen, Mount Vernon, Hamilton, Cherry Hill, Little Italy, Lakeland and Brooklyn—were among 40 sea turtles rescued from the waters off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, last December after becoming victims of cold stunning.
Cold stunning occurs when sea turtles are exposed to rapidly dropping water temperatures, causing them to become lethargic, disoriented and vulnerable to injury or death.
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According to the National Aquarium, 29 of the original 40 turtles were released earlier this year from Oak Island, North Carolina.
One turtle died shortly after arriving at the Aquarium, while another, Patterson Park, remains under treatment for a mycobacterial infection and is expected to continue receiving care for several more months.
“We are always so happy to be able to share the release of successfully rehabilitated sea turtles with our community,” said Director of Animal Rescue Malia Hale, via press release. “Public releases allow Aquarium members and friends to see the results of the rehab work that we undertake each year. It’s our hope that seeing the turtles up close inspires people to care for our ocean and the animals we share it with.”
The National Aquarium is part of the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network, a partnership of organizations that responds to stranded and injured sea turtles along the East Coast.
Before a turtle can be released, Aquarium staff must determine that it has fully recovered and can swim, forage and survive independently in the wild. Final approval for release is provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
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Aquarium officials encourage residents and visitors who encounter stranded marine animals to contact the National Aquarium’s Animal Stranding Hotline at (410) 576-3880 and to maintain a safe distance from wildlife.
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