Nineteen sea turtles have been successfully released back into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida, after undergoing rehabilitation due to cold water temperatures they encountered in New England. These turtles embarked on their journey back to the wild on a sunny day, at Little Talbot Island State Park, where the temperature stood at a pleasant 72 degrees.
The endeavor was orchestrated by the Johnny Morris Sea Turtle Center in Springfield, Missouri, in collaboration with the nonprofit organization Turtles Fly Too. The rehabilitated sea turtles traveled by car to Florida ahead of their release, marking the culmination of their extensive care.
In December, twenty sea turtles, including loggerhead and Kemp’s ridley species, were transported from the New England Aquarium in Boston to Missouri’s Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium. Unfortunately, one turtle was critically ill and did not survive, yet the remaining nineteen received intensive care for thirteen weeks to combat the effects of cold stunning. This condition arises when rapid drops in water temperatures lead to problems like pneumonia, hypothermia, and dehydration.
Hundreds of turtles along the United States’ Atlantic Coast have faced cold stunning recently, with most requiring transfer to Florida rehabilitation centers. The Johnny Morris Sea Turtle Center, which began operations in 2020, has successfully rehabilitated around 64 sea turtles since it opened.
For ongoing monitoring, the released turtles were fitted with specialized satellite tracking devices, enabling conservation scientists to keep track of their movements and well-being in the ocean.