22 Turtle Rehabilitated at Jekyll Island, Georgia : Mystic Aquarium recently carried out a major rescue and rehabilitation operation involving 22 turtles of three different species, releasing them into the warm waters of Jekyll Island, Georgia. These were found cold-stunned and washed ashore on the beaches of Cape Cod, where the cold temperatures had severely affected their chances of survival.
Due to the low survival rate and potential for hypothermia, Mystic Aquarium stepped in as part of its Animal Rescue Program. The rescued turtles received medical treatment to recover from cold-stunning and were monitored to ensure they were free from infections or diseases before being released into a more suitable, warmer habitat.
This was one of the largest rescue efforts by Mystic Aquarium for sea turtle conservation. The 22 turtles included:
- 14 Green Sea Turtles
- 6 Loggerhead Sea Turtles
- 2 Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles, a critically endangered species
These turtles were carefully nurtured and rehabilitated in controlled environments. Given that only 1 in 2,000 hatchlings typically survives due to predators, cold temperatures, and competition, this rescue operation provided them a crucial second chance at life.
Thanks to the efforts of Mystic Aquarium, these vulnerable marine creatures now have a better chance to thrive in the wild. 🐢💚
