Largest Sea Turtle Release In Georgia History Makes A Splash On Jekyll Island

And they’re off!

The largest sea turtle release in Georgia history took place on Jekyll Island this week.

After months receiving treatment at four East Coast facilities, 34 sea turtles re-entered the wild with a splash Wednesday. More than a dozen staff members cheered on the 33 Kemp’s ridley sea turtles and one green sea turtle as they swam into the warm waters of the Atlantic.

The turtles spent the past four to five months at the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, Mystic Aquarium, New England Aquarium, and New York Marine Rescue Center, where they underwent care for hypothermia-related conditions including pneumonia, dehydration, and trauma caused by cold-stunning, an annual phenomenon that happens in the Northeast when water and air temperatures rapidly drop late in the year.

The Kemp’s ridley, the smallest species of sea turtles in the world, is listed as critically endangered, while green sea turtles are currently listed as endangered.

“The rehabilitation and release of just one critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle can have a huge impact on the population, and we are grateful to play a part in the critical conservation efforts for this species,” Sarah Callan, manager of Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program, said in a statement.

Volunteer pilots from the nonprofit organization, Turtles Fly Too, flew some of the turtles from Massachusetts and New York to the Georgia barrier island. This allowed them to reach their destination quickly and with limited stress.

Rachel Overmeyer, rehabilitation program manager at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, told ABC News that Jekyll Island was chosen as the release location because the water at any point north is still too cold for the turtles. The region is also likely where they would be in their migration route.

"As the Jekyll Island Authority’s Georgia Sea Turtle Center continues its mission to protect and conserve sea turtles, partnerships are paramount. Through collaborative efforts, we can ensure the successful rehabilitation and return of these magnificent creatures to their natural habitats, safeguarding their future for generations to come,” Michelle Kaylor, director of the Georgia Sea  Turtle Center, said in a news release. “We are honored that Jekyll Island could serve as the host beach location on the Atlantic coast for the release of these rehabilitated sea turtles as they make their way to warmer waters.”

Overmeyer told WJCL 22 News that she has participated in numerous releases over the years.

"Releases are just so special because it's what we put our blood, sweat and tears into, and it's what we do every day. It is what we work for. So to be able to see them released is really exciting," she said.

Go, turtles, go!

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