Many Agencies, Including Brevard Zoo, Assist In Returning 1,700 Sea Turtles To Ocean
By Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission // November 8, 2016
Hurricanes stranded turtles on east coast
ABOVE VIDEO: This video captures the release of young sea turtles back into the ocean following their stay at local rehab facilities to recuperate from hurricanes until weather conditions were safe enough for them to be returned to the ocean.
(FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE) — Approximately 1,700 sea turtles were released back into the ocean.
The young sea turtles were found stranded along Florida’s east coast beaches following rough winds and waves caused by hurricanes.
The “washbacks,” as they are referred to by sea turtle biologists, were rescued and taken to specialized sea turtle rehab facilities to recuperate until weather conditions were safe enough for them to be returned to the ocean.
This release was possible because of the important contributions made by the following partners: U.S. Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce, The Sea Turtle Hospital at UF Whitney Lab (St. Augustine), marine science center ponce inlet Florida, Sea Turtle Healing Center at Brevard Zoo (Melbourne), Loggerhead Marinelife Center (Juno Beach).
We also appreciate the efforts of volunteers and citizens who helped get these turtles to the rehab facilitates.
Sea turtles, which are among the oldest creatures on earth, have remained essentially unchanged for 110 million years; however, they face an uncertain future.
Illegal harvesting, habitat encroachment, and pollution (physical and light) are only some of the things sea turtles must face as each species struggles to stay alive.
FWC helps to protect and conserve marine turtles and their habitat through:
The Division of Habitat and Species Conservation – Imperiled Species Management Section (ISM),
The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) and the Division of Law Enforcement (LE).
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