Last Thursday was not an average day for the Gulf World Marine Institute employees, as they released 28 healthy Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles into the ocean.
“We usually release one or two sea turtles at a time,” commented Stephanie Southern, Gulf World’s Education Coordinator .
“The best situation for them is to be in their natural environment, and that is why we are releasing so many of them at the same time,” said Holmes-Douglas, Gulf World’s Director.
It is worth to mention that the last week the Gulf World Marine Institute helped the New England Aquarium by taking in 50 Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles that were sick from the cold weather up north. Seven days later and after rehabilitation, half of the sea turtles were medically cleared and ready to leave the nest.
“When we are loading up these turtles, especially when we have large numbers, we want to make sure everyone is accounted for,” said Southern. “We’re having a break in the cold weather,” said Holmes-Douglas. “So we wanted to get them out as soon as possible.”
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission instructed employees to release them at St. George Island on Thursday as it was the perfect day to do so. Morover, the Gulf World Marine Institute employees said that releasing the turtles at St. George Island is the best for the turtles.
“They wanted to release a little past Panama City, a little past Port St. Joe,” said Southern. “They don’t want to release these animals in shallow bays.”
“It’s more of a secluded area,” said Holmes-Douglas. “With low population and a large number of turtles so it’s a great location for us to release them.”
For a small populated area, hundreds came out to see the once in a life time opportunity.
“They are an endangered species,” said Southern. “So having the opportunity to see one is an incredible experience.”
As for the other 22 Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles that ares still in rehab, they will join their brothers and sisters very soon.
“As long as they don’t show any signs that they’re stunned for the cold or any secondary medical conditions,” said Holmes-Douglas. “The goal is to get them out as soon as possible.”