Forty-three rescue turtles have received their wings.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association Fisherieswebsite, cold-stunning occurs when “sea turtles become very weak and inactive from exposure to cold temperatures,” defined as temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
The New England Aquarium and the National Marine Life Center worked together to help with the initial care of the rescue turtles. On Nov. 27, the facilities passed the animals onto marine centers with more room to look after the reptiles, sending the turtles off on a plane.
Turtles Fly Too — a nonprofit dedicated to piloting volunteer flights for turtles who need to be relocated — organized the flight for the 43 sea creatures.
The journey had several stops, with the first being in New York, where pilot Steve Bernstein and his son Owen dropped off 20 turtles to the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society. After New York, the plane traveled to South Carolina to hand over 15 turtles to the South Carolina Aquarium.
The last eight turtles, all Kemp’s ridley turtles, flew to Georgia, where Georgia Sea Turtle Center staff members met the plane at the Jekyll Island Airport and took the animals to their new home. The turtles received initial evaluations at the center and are working on getting “rewarmed” and recovered. After their medical exams, the turtles were placed in pools set up to help the animals raise their body temperature.
“The turtles will also receive supportive care that could include blood work, radiographs, diagnostics, and wound management if they have any wounds,” the center added.
Once the sea turtles are strong and healthy, the marine centers will start working on releasing the animals back into the wild.
source: people.com
