A Hawksbill sea turtle, named Hope, prepares to be released back to the Atlantic Ocean by the Coast Guard and members of Gumbo-Limbo Nature Center. Hope is considered a washback, a turtle previously released to the wild but due to illness washed back ashore and needed to be rehabilitated for a second time. U.S. Coast Guard.(Image by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jon-Paul Rios)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – More than 600 baby sea turtles were released back into the Atlantic Ocean Monday in a joint effort between the Coast Guard and the Gumbo-Limbo Nature Center.
In support of the Coast Guard’s commitment to protecting endangered species and the marine environment, crewmembers from Station Fort Lauderdale, Florida, transported marine scientists and volunteers from the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center offshore to assist in the release of the hatchlings.
The sea turtle hatchlings come from turtle nests located along beaches throughout Florida, which are the primary nesting grounds for Loggerhead sea turtles.
In addition to the more than 600 baby sea turtles being released, four turtles between the ages of 6-months and 1-year will be released back into the wild following rehabilitation at the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center.
In all 637 sea turtles were released:
• 624 Loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings
• Nine Green sea turtle hatchlings
• Three rehabilitated Loggerhead post-hatchling sea turtles
• One Hawksbill post-hatchling sea turtle
Sea turtle hatchlings are placed in bins by members of Gumbo-Limbo Nature Center prior to being released to the Atlantic Ocean July 27. In total, 624 loggerhead hatchlings, nine green sea turtles, three juvenile loggerheads and one post hatchling hawksbill were released by the Coast Guard and Gumbo-Limbo Nature Center. U.S. Coast Guard. (Image by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jon-Paul Rios)A member of Gumbo-Limbo Nature Center based in Boca Raton, Florida, prepares loggerhead and green sea turtle hatchlings to be released. More than 600 turtles were released back into the Atlantic Ocean during the joint effort between the Coast Guard and the Gumbo-Limbo Nature Center. U.S. Coast Guard. (Image by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jon-Paul Rios)A member of Gumbo-Limbo Nature Center based in Boca Raton, Florida, prepares loggerhead and green sea turtle hatchlings to be released to sea. More than 600 turtles were released back into the Atlantic Ocean during the joint effort between the Coast Guard and the Gumbo-Limbo Nature Center. U.S. Coast Guard. (Image by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jon-Paul Rios)A member of Gumbo-Limbo Nature Center releases a rehabilitated Loggerhead into the Atlantic Ocean. In support of the Coast Guard’s commitment to protecting endangered species and the marine environment, crewmembers from Station Fort Lauderdale, Florida, transported marine scientists and volunteers from the Gumbo-Limbo Nature Center offshore to assist in the release of more than 600 sea turtles. U.S. Coast Guard. (Image by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jon-Paul Rios)
