34 Rehabilitated Sea Turtles Released Into Warm GA Waters

Several groups in the Northeast and at Jekyll Island patterned together to save the sea turtles!

Susan Swavely - Staff Writer • April 9, 2024

Turtle being released into the warm waters of Georgia — Turtles Fly Too

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Last week, after several months of rehabilitation and treatment, 34 sea turtles under the care of four different East Coast facilities have been released into the ocean!

These turtles were rescued from Northeast beaches, and completed their rehabilitation in local facilities, before heading back down to Georgia.

A Kemp's ridley sea turtle is taken out into the water where it's released back into the ocean off Jekyll Island, GA. Photo by Sara Hertwig for Turtles Fly Too — Turtles Fly Too

What happened to the sea turtles?

According to a press release about the turtles, “The sea turtles spent the last several months under rehabilitation care for cold-stunning, an annual phenomenon that happens in the Northeast when water and air temperatures gradually drop late in the year.”

The turtles spent the past four or five months at the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, Mystic Aquarium, New England Aquarium, and New York Marine Rescue Center. At these centers, the turtles underwent care for multiple cold-related issues including hypothermia, pneumonia, dehydration, and trauma.

Two Kemp's ridley sea turtles sit in banana boxes waiting for final approval to be released back into the ocean. Photo by Sara Hertwig for Turtles Fly Too — Turtles Fly Too

How did the turtles get to Georgia?

It’s a very sweet story! The turtles made their journey from the Northeast to Jekyll Island with the help of more than a dozen staff members from the six agencies assisting with the release.

And they didn’t just drive down the East Coast… these turtles FLEW! Volunteer pilots from the nonprofit organization Turtles Fly Too flew the turtles from Massachusetts and New York all the way down to Georgia. This method of transport allowed the turtles to quickly reach their destination in Georgia with minimal stress.

Ed Filangeri flew a Piper PA-34 Seneca to Jekyll Island, GA with 23 banana boxes containing Kemp's ridley sea turtles, rehabilitated and ready for release back into the ocean. Photo by Sara Hertwig for Turtles Fly Too — Turtles Fly Too

The Sea Turtle Release

Then, last week, the turtles finally reached their home destination! Several volunteers carried the turtles gently into the warm waves off of Jekyll Island.

In total, 33 of the turtles were Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles, and one was a green sea turtle.

Kelli ODonnell, a pilot with Turtles Fly Too, releases a Kemp's ridley sea turtle back into the ocean after being rehabilitated. Photo by Sara Hertwig for Turtles Fly Too — Turtles Fly Too

In a press release, Michelle Kaylor, director of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center said, “”As the Jekyll Island Authority’s Georgia Sea Turtle Center continues its mission to protect and conserve sea turtles, partnerships are paramount. Through collaborative efforts, we can ensure the successful rehabilitation and return of these magnificent creatures to their natural habitats, safeguarding their future for generations to come.”

A Kemp's ridley sea turtle pokes its head from the side of a box as it waits to be released back into the ocean off Jekyll Island, GA. Photo by Sara Hertwig for Turtles Fly Too — Turtles Fly Too

We’re happy to hear that all 34 turtles made it safely into the waters of Georgia!