Featured Image Credit: NPS
By: Sarah Sharkey
Loggerhead sea turtles are threatened animals that begin their lives as hatchlings on sandy beaches along the Atlantic Coast. Occasionally these little guys need some extra TLC before braving the harsh and beautiful sea.
Recently the North Carolina Aquarium in Fort Fisher helped two loggerhead sea turtles on their way to the ocean. The two hatchlings were found in 2016 during an excavation of Kure Beach Nest 1, they only weighed about an ounce each. They were under careful monitoring and daily care at the Aquarium, until early October. During their stay, they were able to demonstrate to visitors the threats they faced as a threatened sea turtle species.
At their last veterinarian check, they were both cleared for release into their watery home. The staff took them to Morehead City for their release. They were not alone, the turtles were released with 25 additional turtles from aquariums around the country. The turtles were taken offshore and lowered into the ocean individually via a basket.
The three North Carolina Aquariums work together with local sea turtle rescue groups as well as the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission to rescues a limited number of sea turtle hatchlings that do not make it into the ocean. They help to rehabilitate more sea turtles by finding more aquariums to help house and care for them each year.
Learn more from our source.