Endangered Sea Turtles Released off Cape Cod

Three endangered sea turtles were released into the waters off Cape Cod Monday after months of rehabilitation.

The two green sea turtles—named “Snap” and “Crackle”—and Kemp’s ridley turtle named “Tony the Tiger” were rescued this winter after washing up on Cape Cod and suffering from hypothermia.

A small crowd gathered to watch the turtles’ release, and perhaps no one was as excited as the blond-haired boy pictured above. The photo was shot by the New England Aquarium, where the turtles were rehabilitated.

Aquarium officials said the three turtles were part of 85 rescued last year because they were unable to navigate out of the Cape. One of the turtles is still in rehab.

During their release Monday, the three turtles were fitted with satellite tags for research. The tags will fall off after about six months, the aquarium said.

The aquarium said it has rescued and rehabilitated more than 1,200 endangered turtles since the 1990s.

Documentary photographer Esther Horvath has been chronicling the turtles’ rescue.

Photo: One of the three sea turtles released into the waters off Cape Cod Monday. (Credit: New England Aquarium)