WATCH: Rescued Sea Turtles Return To The Ocean

BOSTON, MA (WBZ-AM) -- 14 endangered and threatened sea turtles that were stranded over the winter were released back into the wild Monday.

The turtles were stranded on Cape Cod this in November in a failed attempt to migrate south. 

Credit: New England Aquarium

Many suffered from life-threatening medical conditions like hypothermia, pneumonia and starvation that required months of rehab at the aquarium.

The team of biologist released the turtles on the beach at Little Talbot Island State Park in Florida.

Scientist say the Turtles were driven to Florida since the water temperatures off the coast of Massachusetts are still in the low 40’s. Sea turtles prefer water temperatures in the 70’s, and north Florida was the closest location with waters that warm.

According to a release, once placed on the sand, each turtle slowly and clumsily made their way back into the Atlantic Ocean for the first time in more than four months.

Since last fall, the New England Aquarium and their rescue partner, Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, rescued and treated nearly 300 live sea turtles. 

Since their partnership in 1993 more than 2000 endangered and threatened sea turtles have been rescued and released.


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