The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, together with Turtles Fly Too, a nonprofit organization that connects volunteer pilots with conservationists, collaborated to transport all of the turtles to Georgia by plane, according to Overmeyer. Upon arrival, the turtles, which were kept in boxes originally used for shipping bananas, were then transported to the beach by road.
According to Overmeyer, the release was postponed for a few hours because of a tornado watch that had been issued for Jekyll Island during the afternoon.
When the crew reached the beach, the weather had transitioned from rain and clouds to a bright sun. The crew members performed a brief health check to ensure that no injuries occurred during the journey. Following this, they guided a group of 33 Kemp’s ridley sea turtles and one green sea turtle to knee-deep water.
“They usually take off without any issues,” she remarked.
The Mystic Aquarium, the New York Marine Rescue Center, and the New England Aquarium provided care for the turtles until the ocean waters reached a suitable temperature for their release. According to Overmeyer, this release marks the largest one ever recorded in the state of Georgia.
Becoming cold-stunned in reptiles is similar to experiencing hypothermia in mammals, explains Overmeyer. In these animals, such as iguanas, turtles, snakes, and frogs, their body processes slow down significantly, almost coming to a halt. This enables them to conserve energy by using only a minimal amount of body fat, allowing them to survive for weeks in cold temperatures.
Every year during the autumn and early winter seasons, Cape Cod, Massachusetts witnesses a distressing phenomenon where numerous sea turtles become cold-stunned and end up stranded on its shores. The reason behind this unfortunate occurrence is the swift drop in water temperatures and the prevailing wind patterns. Sadly, a significant number of these turtles find themselves trapped in the hook-shaped area of Cape Cod Bay, unable to escape, as they eventually wash up on the beaches.
Conservationists in New England have established patrols to monitor for cold-stunned turtles as part of their efforts to aid in their recovery. According to Overmeyer, the rehabilitation process in a facility can last up to six months.
Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are in a critical state of endangerment, as classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. Similarly, green sea turtles are also labeled as endangered.
According to Michelle Kaylor, the director of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, collaborative efforts are vital to ensuring the successful rehabilitation and return of these magnificent creatures to their natural habitats. This is crucial for safeguarding their future for generations to come. Kaylor expressed her honor in having Jekyll Island as the host beach location on the Atlantic Coast for the release of these rehabilitated sea turtles, as they embark on their journey to warmer waters.
