5 rescued turtles return to the sea

SURF CITY, NC (WWAY) — 5 lucky turtles are back at sea thanks to professional and volunteers working tireless to nurse them back to health.

The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center has released 40 turtles so far this year. Executive director, Jean Beasley, said each release can be a little bittersweet.

“It is a wonderful and exhilarating feeling. It’s also scary because we don’t have any control over what happens to them after they’re out there. It’s worse than sending your kid off to college,” said Beasley.

Jordan Dickinson found one of the rescues when she was working as an intern with the rehab center last summer. Dickinson said the turtle was in pretty bad shape and needed a lot of care to be able to safely return to the ocean. She said it is amazing what a difference a year can make.

“I was sad a little bit. I got a little teary when she started to go out. But once I saw her out there happy, you’re happy for them. They’re home and safe and they don’t have to be in captivity anymore and they’re healthy and it’s amazing,” said Dickinson.

Now those five lucky turtles have been safely returned to their natural habitat, getting a second chance at life under the sea.