31 Critically Endangered Sea Turtles Return to the Ocean After Lifesaving Rehab
On a sun-drenched April afternoon, cheers erupted along the shoreline of Fort Fisher, North Carolina, as 31 Kemp’s ridley sea turtles made their way back to the Atlantic Ocean. For the small army of marine biologists and onlookers who gathered to witness the event, it was a powerful symbol of recovery, resilience — and hope.
The release was the culmination of months of hard work from teams at the New England Aquarium and the Fort Fisher Aquarium, who had collaborated to rehabilitate the cold-stunned turtles. Of the group, 25 came from New England’s Sea Turtle Hospital, and six were cared for by the New York Marine Rescue Center.
A Warming Ocean’s Cold Consequences
This release was part of a much larger effort — nearly 500 sea turtles were rescued between November 2024 and January 2025 after being stranded along Cape Cod Bay. Many were suffering from a condition known as cold-stunning, a form of hypothermia triggered when sea turtles are caught off guard by sudden drops in water temperature.
As ocean patterns shift due to climate change, more and more sea turtles are swimming too far north during the warmer months, only to be caught in frigid conditions they can’t survive. The result: pneumonia, dehydration, and often death without human intervention.
“These turtles arrive cold, sick, and vulnerable,” said Sammi Chaves, a rescue biologist at the New England Aquarium who helped coordinate their journey from Massachusetts to North Carolina. “But they’re incredibly resilient animals.”
Mythology, Memory, and a Turtle Named Violet
During their stay at the Sea Turtle Hospital, each turtle received care over the course of four to five months — and a name, following this season’s theme: Greek mythology. Among the 31 released were Pegasus, known for its graceful swim style, and Linus, whose small stature belied a voracious appetite.
One turtle, Violet, had a particularly memorable journey. Originally rescued in 2023 and released in August 2024, Violet was found stranded again just two months later. She was given a second chance — and an acoustic tracking tag to help researchers follow her progress and gather vital data on turtle migration routes.
More Turtles Await Their Turn
Back at the New England Aquarium, 42 more Kemp’s ridley turtles are still in rehabilitation, expected to be released later this summer into Nantucket Sound.
“With strandings increasing every year, our work in rescue and rehabilitation is more important than ever,” said Adam Kennedy, director of rescue and rehabilitation. “We’re still uncovering the secrets of these animals. Every turtle we save helps us understand how to protect the species as a whole.”
Kemp’s ridleys remain one of the most endangered sea turtles on the planet, and yet moments like this — where dozens of rehabilitated turtles return to the wild — offer a glimmer of hope in a changing ocean.
