TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE — The final two sea turtles rescued and rehabilitated after a frigid spell this winter returned to the Gulf on Wednesday morning.
Gulf World Marine Institute released two endangered juvenile green sea turtles into waters at
“We had 200 sea turtles in total from January and we released the majority of them, but these two caught secondary illnesses,” said Stephanie Nagle, education coordinator at Gulf World. “So we had to keep them a little extra and now they’re ready to be released back into the gulf.”
The turtles — each between 5 to 10 years old, weighing less than 10 pounds — had contracted pneumonia and suffered from impaction prior to being recovered from the cold waters.
A crowd of about 30 people gathered and walked through the small gully Wednesday near the shoreline to witness the young turtles take their first swim back in their natural habitat.
It was 13-year-old Kayleigh Fountain’s first time seeing a turtle release.
“It’s so exciting watching the turtles finally go into the ocean and get to do what they want to do with their lives,” Fountain said.
After the turtles were placed along the beach, topaz-tinted water rushed ashore, wetting the turtles and prompting them to vanish into the Gulf with the second wave.
“It’s one of the best feelings,” Nagle said. “Because they are endangered, we want to help and see them thrive in the future. Not only is it a great feeling to have, but it’s vital for the continuation of their species to survive.”