Rescued sea turtles heading back to sea

KURE BEACH, NC (WWAY)–It’s back to the sea for five Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles in Kure Beach that were rescued near Cape Cod this past fall. The sea turtles are heading to Florida to be released.

Peggy Sloan, North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher director, says when they were called upon to take care of some of the rescued sea turtles they answered. “Everyone that took care of these turtles has full time jobs. On top of their everyday duties they have been taking care of these animals about five hours a day, feeding them, giving them medication, watching them come back to life,” said Sloan.

Sarah Finn, coastal wildlife biologist for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, says these animals were cold stunned. “When temperatures drop below 55 degrees they go into shock and they cannot move. They can’t swim so they just float to the surface with the currents until they wash ashore.”