Massachusetts beaches have become the unfortunate landing spots for numerous sea turtles that have been cold-stunned due to the warming oceans. Cape Cod Bay, located in the Gulf of Maine, is now one of the fastest-warming bodies of water in the world, making it difficult for cold-blooded reptiles like sea turtles to survive. The turtles, particularly the critically-endangered Kemp’s Ridley turtles, are washing ashore in increasing numbers every year, suffering from hypothermia. They are in grave danger due to various threats including oil spills, boat strikes, red tides, and entanglement in debris.
To address this issue, the New England Aquarium’s Animal Care Center has been treating and rehabilitating these cold-stunned turtles. The center has an impressive 80% success rate in bringing the turtles back from the brink of death. However, with hundreds of turtles getting trapped each year, the center is unable to handle the overwhelming number of patients. This has prompted the question of how to transport these turtles to other rehab facilities across the country.
The answer comes in the form of Turtles Fly Too, a unique non-profit organization that relies on volunteer pilots and their planes to transport the convalescing turtles. The pilots dedicate their time, planes, and fuel to rush the rescued turtles to rehab facilities in various locations. The organization, however, lacks funding and relies on the pilots’ personal contributions to cover the costs of these life-saving flights.
During a recent mission, Turtles Fly Too transported 44 sick sea turtles from Boston to Atlanta, Gulfport, and Dallas, dropping them off at rehab centers along the way. The hope is that with proper care, these turtles will eventually be released back into the ocean. In fact, 90% of the turtles moved to rehab facilities by Turtles Fly Too have successfully returned to the ocean.
One of the rehab centers that received these turtles is the Texas Sealife Center in Corpus Christi. With the help of dedicated volunteers and good care, the turtles at the center have a high success rate of being rehabilitated and released. The center’s director, Veterinarian Tim Tristan, emphasized the importance of getting these turtles back into the wild where they belong.
Recently, a crowd gathered at the beach of Padre Island to witness the release of these rehabilitated turtles. Biologist Donna Shaver called the event a demonstration of modern conservation in action. She expressed hope for the future generation of turtles and the importance of their survival. Correspondent Lee Cowan had the privilege of escorting one turtle to the water’s edge, highlighting the successful efforts of the humans involved in giving these turtles a second chance at life.
In a world where human activity has often harmed marine life, these efforts to rescue and rehabilitate sea turtles showcase the power of collective action and compassion. With the help of organizations like Turtles Fly Too and the dedication of countless individuals, these critically-endangered sea turtles have the opportunity to return home and contribute to the preservation of their species.
For more information, visit CBS News.
Original Story at www.cbsnews.com – 2023-07-02 13:12:16
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