Thirty-one endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles rescued on Cape Cod were flown to South Carolina for care over the weekend. (NEAQ)
CHARLESTON, S.C., Nov. 24 (UPI) -- More than two dozen sea turtles were flown to South Carolina from New England over the weekend, as rescue efforts in Cape Cod and elsewhere have become overwhelmed by an influx of sea turtles -- rescued after being stranded by the onslaught of cold, rough winter waters.
With not enough facilities or manpower to properly care for all the sea turtles being rescued from the frigid New England water, officials with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration were forced to reach out to other rescuing operations along the East Coast and request immediate assistance.
Two aquariums, one in South Carolina and one in Georgia, heeded the call. Thanks to a generous private donation from Margie and Will Dorminy, two Charleston locals, officials with the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Rescue Program were able to arrange for a private flight for 31 Kemp's ridley sea turtles -- an endangered species.
Fifteen of the struggling turtles were transported to the South Carolina Aquarium for rehabilitation, while the other 16 were taken to Georgia Sea Turtle Center located on Jekyll Island. The Turtle Center had already received a shipment of sick sea turtle last week.
"This happens every year, but not usually this early," Dr. Terry Norton, the center's director and veterinarian, told The Brunswick News. "Over the past week, the New England Aquarium in Boston has admitted more than 300 cold-stunned sea turtles found along the Massachusetts coastline."
"There will definitely be more coming here for treatment, and if this early batch is any indication, we will need more room and tanks to help them," Norton added.
After the turtles are nursed back to health, they are released back into the warm waters of the coast of Georgia and Florida.
