New England Aquarium releases six rehabilitated sea turtles into ocean waters off Cape Cod

BOSTON, MASS. (July 10, 2024) – After months undergoing rehabilitative care at the New England Aquarium, six critically endangered sea turtles are back in ocean waters off Cape Cod after fully recovering from their life-threatening injuries. This group of sea turtles include one loggerhead, one green, and four Kemp’s ridley sea turtles.

**PHOTOS AND VIDEO AVAILABLE HERE, WITH CREDIT TO THE NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM**

Loggerhead, green, and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are all endangered species, facing threats including fisheries interactions, climate change, ocean pollution, and degradation of their habitats. Rescue and rehabilitation efforts help to conserve this species.

These turtles spent several months at the Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital in Quincy, MA, undergoing treatment for hypothermia-related conditions including pneumonia, dehydration, and emaciation, all results of being unable to regulate their body temperature in the cold waters of Cape Cod Bay last fall and winter. After physical examinations, staff veterinarians cleared the sea turtles to return to Nantucket Sound off West Dennis Beach on Wednesday evening.

Aquarium staff, volunteers, and interns have a tradition of naming the turtles receiving long-term care. The turtles released Wednesday are:

• “Wolfsbane” (#650) – Stranded on December 14, 2023
• “Lilac” (#694) – Stranded on December 21, 2023
• “Hibiscus” (#695) – Stranded on December 21, 2023
• “Azalea” (#704) – Stranded on December 21, 2023
• “White Cedar” (#322) – Stranded on November 30, 2023
• “Water Lily” (#745) – Stranded on January 4, 2024

Several turtles from this group will also be equipped with satellite tags, which collect data on post-release survivorship and behavior. Scientists in the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium will use this information to help improve sea turtle welfare, conservation, and protection. Tagged sea turtles can be tracked on this interactive map.

“We are thrilled to be releasing six more turtles back to their ocean home. Knowing that each of these species are endangered, it is so rewarding to see our work directly contribute to conservation efforts that help ensure these populations continue to exist,” said Adam Kennedy, Director of Rescue and Rehabilitation at the Aquarium. “While their time at the Sea Turtle Hospital has come to an end, we are excited to follow their movements and continue to learn from these animals.”

During the 2023 cold-stunning season, the Aquarium treated 394 live sea turtles that were rescued from the shores of Cape Cod in November and December by staff and volunteers with Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Getting these turtles back to health requires a collaborative effort between biologists, veterinarians, and researchers, all of whom work tirelessly with the turtles during the rehabilitation effort and continue for some, even after their release.

In addition to Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, the Aquarium works closely with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Fisheries Service and the nonprofit organization Turtles Fly Too to save the sea turtles, many of which are transferred to partner organizations across the country to continue rehabilitation to clear up space in the Sea Turtle Hospital to allow for care of additional incoming stranded turtles. There are 21 turtles remaining at the Aquarium’s Quincy facility, in hopes that all will be released off Cape Cod this summer once medically cleared.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jennifer Seabolt, 808-372-9065, jenn@teakmedia.com