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Loggerhead sea turtle to be released
Sea turtle's circle of care to end successfully thanks to efforts
of the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, New England Aquarium, and
the National Marine Life Center
 FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 13, 2004 CONTACT:
Sallie Riggs or
Christine Duren
508-743-9888
Loggerhead sea turtle released
Sea turtle's circle of care to end successfully thanks to efforts
of the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, New England Aquarium, and
the National Marine Life Center
Osterville, MA.
In a release coordinated by the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
and the National Marine Life Center, Eco, a 107 lb. loggerhead was
returned to the ocean today at 10am at Dowses Beach, Osterville.
The loggerhead was rescued on a Truro beach last November 30th
by a Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary (WBWS) volunteer, spent four
months in critical care at the New England Aquarium (NEAq), and
from March 30th to today was in pre-release rehabilitation at the
National Marine Life Center (NMLC).
The WBWS has coordinated cold stunned sea turtle stranding recoveries
for over 20 years and has over 120 volunteers who walk the beaches
looking for incapacitated sea turtles. Over this period, these volunteers
have recovered over 1300 loggerhead, ridley, and green sea turtles.
During the 2003 sea turtle stranding season from late October to
mid December, 95 stranded sea turtles were picked up, 35 of these
were found alive. Of the nine loggerheads found, Eco was the only
one that survived. Eco was rescued by Richard Wolniewicz, a volunteer
in his first year on stranding patrol, who participated in today's
release.
Eco was immediately transported to the NEAq for critical care.
NEAq has successfully been rehabilitating sea turtles for nearly
twenty years. Eco's condition upon arrival was critical - the animal
was hypothermic, severely dehydrated, malnourished, and had a serious
electrolyte imbalance. The NEAq rescue staff provided emergency
care to make sure Eco survived. They stabilized the animal, balanced
the electrolytes through fluid therapy and slowly increased the
temperature back to a safe level. Although sea turtle rehabilitation
is a time-consuming and costly undertaking, the Aquarium's rescue
program is dedicated to saving threatened and endangered sea turtles.
After four months of expert care at the NEAq, Eco was transported
to the NMLC on March 30th for several more months of pre-release
rehabilitation. Eco was the first animal admitted to the NMLC's
first phase facility....a milestone for the NMLC as it continues
to develop a marine animal rehabilitation hospital.
Eco has progressively gained weight, amassing over 3 kilograms
since admittance to NMLC, eating steadily and exhibiting satisfactory
swimming and diving behavior. "We are more than thrilled to
have had the chance to rehabilitate this animal and the staff is
excitedly awaiting the next turtle season to help with the stranded
sea turtles along the New England Coast." said Danielle O'Neil,
NMLC Animal Care Supervisor.
Eco's release today is the successful culmination of three organizations
coming together to save a threatened species. If you are interested
in learning more about these organizations or making a donation,
please contact the National Marine Life Center at (508)743-9888
or at www.nmlc.org, Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary at (508)349-2615
or at www.wellfleetbay.org; or the New England Aquarium at (617)973-5200
at www.neaq.org.
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NATIONAL MARINE LIFE CENTER RECEIVES $1 MILLION DONATION FROM
GRATIA MONTGOMERY